Podcasts about slas

MishiPay has scaled from processing $10 million to over $250 million in annual transactions by abandoning product purity for market pragmatism. What started as a mobile-first scan-and-go solution evolved into a comprehensive checkout platform spanning self-checkout kiosks, RFID systems, mobile POS, and traditional cash registers—now deployed across 2,000+ stores in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Mustafa Khanwala, CEO and Founder of MishiPay, to dissect why the "inferior" product often wins in retail tech, how trust-building mechanics differ fundamentally across geographies, and what it actually takes to maintain startup agility at enterprise scale. Topics Discussed: The seven-year journey from consumer mobile app to B2B checkout infrastructure Why MishiPay nearly failed by over-indexing on superior UX instead of adoption curves The 2022 pivot that unlocked triple-digit revenue growth with flat headcount How checkout solution requirements vary by customer visit frequency (weekly grocery vs. annual travel retail) Trust-building in enterprise sales: face-to-face requirements in Middle Eastern markets vs. video-first Western sales cycles Delivering two-week go-live timelines and 10-minute UI changes while maintaining 99.9999% uptime AI integration strategy: internal efficiency first, then customer-facing analytics and autonomous POS management GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Adoption friction kills better products: Mustafa spent years refusing to build self-checkout because scan-and-go was objectively superior UX. The company nearly died defending this position. "Should we have started on some of our other products in 2019 instead of 2022? Probably." The lesson isn't about building inferior products—it's about understanding that customers evaluate "better" through implementation risk, training overhead, and behavior change required. B2B founders must map the gap between current state and ideal state, then build the bridge products that de-risk each transition step, even if those bridges feel like compromises. Customer frequency determines viable solution complexity: Scan-and-go requires significant user education investment that only generates ROI with weekly-plus usage. In travel retail where 70-80% of customers visit 1-2x annually, that education cost never pays back. MishiPay now matches solution types to visit patterns: scan-and-go for high-frequency grocery, staff-assisted mobile POS for low-frequency travel retail, RFID self-checkout for mid-frequency fashion. B2B founders should calculate the learning curve payback period against actual usage frequency—if users won't encounter your product enough times to justify the learning investment, you need a different entry point regardless of how good the end-state experience is. Enterprise stability with startup agility is a wedge, not a platitude: Every vendor claims this. MishiPay operationalizes it through specific SLAs: two-week store go-lives, 10-minute button changes, two-day promotion additions, two-week payment method integration—all while maintaining 99.9999% uptime that enterprise POS demands. This isn't about "moving fast," it's about architecture decisions that enable rapid customization without stability trade-offs (mobile-first, cloud-native, API-driven). B2B founders should define their agility claims in measurable timelines and uptime guarantees, not adjectives. If you can't operationalize "flexibility" into specific hours or days for changes, it's not a differentiator. Geographic trust-building fundamentally differs in mechanism, not degree: Western enterprise sales: product merit → pilot → relationship building → expansion. Middle Eastern enterprise sales: relationship building → pilot opportunity → product merit demonstration → deal. The difference isn't relationship importance (both require it), but sequencing. Mustafa noted Middle Eastern business culture evolved from pearl diving where "their whole job was to be able to look at someone in the eyes and decide if that person was going to scam them." Face-to-face happens pre-deal in Middle East, post-deal in the West. B2B founders expanding globally must rebuild their sales motion sequencing by geography, not just translate materials or add local reps. Staff productivity scales by solving the manager's problem, not the user's pain: MishiPay's roadmap progression reveals a pattern: first solve for store staff (checkout experience), then assistant managers (store operations), then store managers (performance analytics), then HQ (multi-store optimization). Each layer up requires data aggregation from the layer below. The AI analytics launch targets store-level decisions (pricing, promotions, inventory) using transaction data from POS—this expands buyer persona from IT/Operations to Finance/Merchandising. B2B founders should map their product expansion as a vertical climb through the org chart, where each new buyer persona requires accumulated data from the previous user tier.   // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role.  Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM  

Are your teams feeling drained by endless virtual meetings and app-switching chaos? In this insightful discussion, UC Today and Tata Communications reveal how UC complexity can silently erode productivity and morale — and what can be done about it.Vivek Kar, Head of Employee Interaction Suite at Tata Communications  breaks down how Tata Communications helps global enterprises simplify and unify their UC ecosystems without forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.Key Takeaways:Beyond meeting fatigue: Understand how “collaboration burnout” stems from fragmented tools and constant context switching.Hidden costs of UC complexity: Explore how IT and employees both pay the price through inefficiencies, siloed data, and inconsistent experiences.Simplified UC management: Learn how Tata Communications acts as a single managed service partner, delivering unified analytics, consistent SLAs, and local compliance in 58+ countries.Seamless, human collaboration: Discover how intelligent meeting rooms and flexible UCaaS models make work effortless, empowering creativity and engagement.

What does it really take to build an AI-ready network in 2025? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Vikas Butaney from Cisco and Ali Tehrani from Presidio to unpack the biggest announcements from Cisco's Partner Summit and discuss how their collaboration is helping enterprises modernise networks for the AI era. Together, we explore how businesses can move faster, strengthen security, and simplify operations while adapting to a world of continuous data flow and intelligent automation. Vikas shares how Cisco's strategy is built around three customer imperatives: AI ready data centers, future proof workplaces, and digital resilience. He talks about how Cisco is weaving these priorities into new innovations such as secure routers with five times the throughput, Wi Fi 7 access points, and unified dashboards that bring Catalyst Center and Meraki together for a single view of the network. He also introduces AI Canvas, a multiplayer workspace that allows NetOps and SecOps teams to collaborate in real time, showing what it looks like when AI becomes part of the operational fabric rather than an add on. Ali joins the conversation with the partner's perspective, explaining how Presidio brings Cisco's architecture to life through the last mile of execution. He describes how the Cisco Unified Branch initiative uses AI workflows and branches as code to deliver zero touch rollout across thousands of sites. By combining automation, golden configuration templates, and telemetry driven SLAs, Presidio helps customers reduce deployment times from weeks to minutes while maintaining consistent performance and security. Throughout our discussion, we compare AI for networking, where AI helps to run and optimise the network, with networking for AI, which provides the infrastructure to power high volume AI workloads. We talk about how Cisco is building security directly into the network with Access Manager, simplifying IoT segmentation, and preparing for a post quantum world. This episode offers a clear, inside look at how Cisco and Presidio are shaping the next generation of secure, intelligent networks. So, how ready is your organisation for this new era of AI driven connectivity?   You said: Please also insert these links Press Release: Cisco Supercharges its Secure Enterprise Network Architecture for the AI Era Blog: Unlocking the AI Era: How Cisco is Delivering on its Vision for a Secure, Simplified, and Scalable Network Blog: From Fragmented to Future-ready with Unified Branch: Powering IT in the AI Era   ChatGPT said: What does it really take to build an AI ready network in 2025? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Vikas Butaney from Cisco and Ali Tehrani from Presidio to unpack the biggest announcements from Cisco's Partner Summit and discuss how their collaboration is helping enterprises modernise networks for the AI era. Together, we explore how businesses can move faster, strengthen security, and simplify operations while adapting to a world of continuous data flow and intelligent automation. Vikas shares how Cisco's strategy is built around three customer imperatives: AI ready data centers, future proof workplaces, and digital resilience. He talks about how Cisco is weaving these priorities into new innovations such as secure routers with five times the throughput, Wi Fi 7 access points, and unified dashboards that bring Catalyst Center and Meraki together for a single view of the network. He also introduces AI Canvas, a multiplayer workspace that allows NetOps and SecOps teams to collaborate in real time, showing what it looks like when AI becomes part of the operational fabric rather than an add on. Ali joins the conversation with the partner's perspective, explaining how Presidio brings Cisco's architecture to life through the last mile of execution. He describes how the Cisco Unified Branch initiative uses AI workflows and branches as code to deliver zero touch rollout across thousands of sites. By combining automation, golden configuration templates, and telemetry driven SLAs, Presidio helps customers reduce deployment times from weeks to minutes while maintaining consistent performance and security. Throughout our discussion, we compare AI for networking, where AI helps to run and optimise the network, with networking for AI, which provides the infrastructure to power high volume AI workloads. We talk about how Cisco is building security directly into the network with Access Manager, simplifying IoT segmentation, and preparing for a post quantum world. If you want to learn more about Cisco's announcements and vision for the AI era, check out these resources: Cisco Supercharges its Secure Enterprise Network Architecture for the AI Era Unlocking the AI Era: How Cisco is Delivering on its Vision for a Secure, Simplified, and Scalable Network From Fragmented to Future Ready with Unified Branch: Powering IT in the AI Era This episode offers a clear, inside look at how Cisco and Presidio are shaping the next generation of secure, intelligent networks. So, how ready is your organisation for this new era of AI driven connectivity?   Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by NordLayer: Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

"Relationships come before proposals; kokoro-gamae signals intent long before a contract". "Nemawashi wins unseen battles by equipping an internal champion to align consensus". "In Japan, decisions are slower—but execution is lightning-fast once ringi-sho is approved". "Detail is trust: dense materials, rapid follow-ups, and consistent delivery reduce uncertainty avoidance". "Think reorder, not transaction—lifetime value grows from reliability, patience, and face-saving flexibility". In this Asia AIM conversation, Dr. Greg Story reframes B2B success in Japan as a decision-intelligence exercise grounded in trust, patience, and detail. The core insight: buyers are rewarded for avoiding downside, not for taking risks. Consequently, a new supplier represents uncertainty; price discounts rarely move the needle. What does? Kokoro-gamae—demonstrable, client-first intent—expressed through meticulous preparation, responsiveness, and long-term commitment. Greg's journey began in 1992 when his Australian consultative selling failed to gain traction. The lesson was blunt: until trust is established, the offer is irrelevant because the buyer evaluates the person first. From there, the playbook is distinctly Japanese. Nemawashi—the behind-the-scenes groundwork—recognises that many stakeholders can say "no." External sellers seldom meet these influencers. The practical move is to equip an internal champion with detailed, risk-reducing materials and flexible terms that make consensus safer. Once the ringi-sho (circulating approval document) moves, execution accelerates; Japan trades slow decisions for fast delivery. Greg emphasises information density and speed. Japanese firms expect thick printouts, technical appendices, and rapid follow-ups—even calls to confirm an email was received. This signals reliability and reduces the purchaser's uncertainty. Trial orders are common; they are not small but strategic—tests of quality, schedule adherence, and flexibility. Win the test, and the budget cycle (often April-to-March) can position the supplier for multi-year reorders. Culturally, face and accountability shape referrals. Testimonials are difficult because clients avoid responsibility if something goes wrong. Longevity itself becomes social proof: "We've supplied X for ten years" carries weight. Greg's hunter-versus-farmer distinction highlights the need to support new logos with dedicated account "farmers" who manage detail, cadence, and service levels that earn reorders. Patience is tactical, not passive. "Kentō shimasu" may mean "not now," so he calendarises a nine-month follow-up—enough time for internal conditions to change without ceding the account to competitors. Throughout, he urges leaders to think in lifetime value, align to budget rhythms, and communicate more than feels natural. The result is a high-trust system where consensus reduces organisational risk—and where suppliers that master nemawashi, detail, and delivery become integral partners rather than interchangeable vendors.  Q&A Summary What makes leadership in Japan unique? Leadership succeeds when it reduces organisational risk and preserves face during consensus formation. Nemawashi equips internal champions to address objections before meetings, while ringi-sho formalises agreement. Leaders who foreground kokoro-gamae, provide dense decision packs, and allow time for alignment see decisions stick and execution accelerate. Why do global executives struggle? Western managers often prize speed, big-room persuasion, and minimal detail. In Japan, uncertainty avoidance is high; buyers seek exhaustive documentation and incremental proof via pilots. Under-investing in detail or follow-up reads as unreliable. Overlooking budget cycles and internal approvals leads to mistimed asks and stalled ringi. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Individuals are incentivised to avoid downside, which shifts decisions from "risk-taking" to "risk-mitigation." The system favours tested suppliers, visible track records, and trial orders. Price rarely offsets perceived risk. Trust and history function as risk controls; once approved, delivery speed reflects the system's confidence. What leadership style actually works? A patient, service-led style that privileges relationships over transactions. Leaders ask permission to ask questions, listen for hidden constraints, and co-design low-risk pilots. Farmers—or hunter-farmer teams—sustain cadence, escalate issues early, and remain flexible as conditions change, protecting the champion's face and the consensus. How can technology help? Decision intelligence platforms can map stakeholders and sentiment across the approval chain. Digital twins of delivery schedules and SLAs, plus living dashboards of quality metrics, give champions ringi-ready evidence. Structured knowledge bases, rapid response workflows, and audit trails strengthen reliability signals during nemawashi. Does language proficiency matter? Language builds rapport, but process fluency matters more: understanding nemawashi, ringi-sho, and budget cycles; providing dense Japanese-language materials; and maintaining a proactive follow-up cadence. Bilingual support teams and translated technical appendices can materially lower perceived risk. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Optimise for the reorder, not the first sale. Reliability, speed of follow-up, document density, and cultural fluency compound into durable trust. Japan rewards those who "hasten slowly," then deliver flawlessly when the decision finally lands.  Timecoded Summary [00:00] Context and thesis: Japan's B2B environment rewards risk mitigation over risk-taking; relationships precede proposals. Greg recounts his early failure applying Australian consultative selling before building rapport and trust as prerequisites. [05:20] Nemawashi in practice: Many stakeholders can veto; sellers rarely meet them. Equip the champion with dense packs, options, and flexibility to navigate objections. Ringi-sho formalises consensus, and once signed, execution accelerates. [12:45] Detail and responsiveness: Japanese buyers expect information-rich printouts and fast follow-ups—even same-day responses. Trial orders function as risk-controlled tests of quality, schedule, and flexibility. Delivery during trials sets the tone for long-term partnership. [18:30] Referrals and proof: Public testimonials are rare due to accountability risk. Tenure becomes currency—long relationships serve as de-risking signals to new buyers. Social proof derives from sustained performance, not logos on a webpage. [24:10] Cadence and patience: "Kentō shimasu" often means "not now." Calendarise a nine-month check-in to match likely internal change cycles. Align proposals to April budget rhythms to avoid timing out. Maintain polite persistence without pushiness. [31:05] Operating model: Pair hunters with farmers; once a deal lands, a service-led team manages detail, SLAs, and face-saving flexibility. Leaders message lifetime value, not quarterly wins, and use technology (decision intelligence, digital twins, knowledge bases) to support nemawashi and ringi.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.   

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminuteBecome a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/supportOn this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros chats with Roger Williams, Partnerships and Community Manager at Kinsta. They discuss the importance of hosting education for WordPress users and the nuances of service-level agreements (SLAs) in hosting. They also examine the significance of building strong client relationships through transparent hosting choices and the evolving role of AI in web development and SEO. The conversation also touches on Kinsta's recent updates and the future of hosting and AI tools. Takeaways:Hosting education is crucial for WordPress users.SLAs are important to understand when choosing a host.AI tools enhance productivity but do not replace fundamental skills.The hosting environment is foundational to website performance.Transparency in hosting costs fosters better client relationships.Events like CloudFest provide valuable networking opportunities.Kinsta focuses on support and education for its users.The move to bandwidth-based pricing can alleviate frustrations with bot traffic.AI is reshaping how we approach web development and SEO.Important Links:KinstaConnect with Roger Williams on LinkedInThe WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★

In dieser Episode diskutieren Julian und Jannik mit Peter Schütte über die Herausforderungen und Synergien zwischen Marketing und Vertrieb. Sie beleuchten den Übergabeprozess von Leads, die Bedeutung von SLAs und den Einfluss kultureller Unterschiede auf internationale Marketingstrategien. Zudem wird die Rolle des persönlichen Kontakts im Vertrieb hervorgehoben und ein Ausblick auf die Zukunft von Marketing und Vertrieb gegeben.Chapters00:00 Einführung und persönliche Updates02:51 Der Wechsel ins Büro und Homeoffice-Diskussion05:57 Vorstellung des Gastes und Marketingperspektiven09:37 Der B2B-Marketingprozess und Herausforderungen13:32 Übergabe von Leads: Marketing und Vertrieb im Dialog17:51 Transparenz in der Lead-Generierung20:26 Die Rolle von SLAs im Vertrieb22:59 Herausforderungen im B2B-Vertrieb26:02 Die Bedeutung von Webinaren und Lead-Qualifizierung29:05 Die Wichtigkeit der Datenpflege im CRM32:23 Prozessoptimierung und Teamarbeit im Vertrieb37:35 Die Bedeutung von Leadership im Marketing40:29 Herausforderungen bei der internationalen Umsetzung42:30 Kulturelle Unterschiede im Marketing47:19 Strategien für den Markenaufbau48:49 Die Zukunft von Marketing und Sales

Catherine (Space and Time) breaks down why blockchains alone can't power complex apps—and how a verifiable, decentralized database with ZK proofs closes the gap for enterprises, devs, and AI agents. We cover: what SxT is, how its patented ZK approach offloads compute to a single node and proves correctness on-chain, why institutional adoption is sticky, and marketing tactics that actually work in Web3 (what to outsource vs keep in-house). She also shares the Indonesia education rollout (UGM + Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison/IOH), token-powered payments, and what she'd do with unlimited community budget.Key timestamps (YouTube format)[00:00:00] Opening clip: From “future of money” to “verifiable data for smart contracts” [00:01:00] Live at Token2049: who Catherine is and what we cover [00:02:00] Origin story: joining Space and Time to solve crypto's database gap [00:03:00] Mission: empower devs/enterprises/AI agents with verifiable data [00:04:00] Why chains ≠ databases: limits, complexity, and enterprise SLAs [00:05:00] The core innovation: patented ZK proofs for database compute [00:05:45] How it works (plain English): single-node compute, on-chain verification [00:06:30] Catherine's background: technical marketing roots → Web3 [00:07:00] Founder tip: what to outsource vs keep internal (PR, events, community) [00:08:00] Campaigns that win: enterprise/institutional stories beat gimmicks [00:09:00] Example: Microsoft Fabric integration momentum[00:10:00] Listening to the market: community as your feedback engine [00:11:00] Indonesia rollout: IOH partnership and 100k+ students onboarding [00:12:00] UGM framework: verifiable diplomas/records; SXT as payment rail [00:13:00] Longevity question: decentralization and community node operators [00:15:00] If starting today: what they'd build vs leverage in the ecosystem [00:16:00] Why institutional demand is slow but sticky (and good for cycles) [00:17:00] Competing for attention vs building fundamentals and partnerships [00:18:00] What Space and Time needs now: builders to ship with verifiable data [00:19:00] Who they admire: Chainlink's dual GTM (community + enterprise) [00:20:00] Unlimited budget thought experiment: country leads and community depth [00:20:45] Advice to community managers: shared values, inclusion, tight feedback loops [00:21:30] Close: links, how to try SxT, and why this matters for Web3 buildersConnecthttps://www.spaceandtime.io/https://twitter.com/SpaceandTimeDBhttps://discord.gg/spaceandtimeDB https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehdaly/https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-and-time-db/DisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

In this episode, hosts Lois Houston and Nikita Abraham, along with Principal OCI Instructor Orlando Gentil, break down the differences between Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Software-as-a-Service.   The conversation explores how each framework influences control, cost efficiency, expansion, reliability, and contingency planning.   Cloud Tech Jumpstart: https://mylearn.oracle.com/ou/course/cloud-tech-jumpstart/152992 Oracle University Learning Community: https://education.oracle.com/ou-community LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/oracle-university/ X: https://x.com/Oracle_Edu   Special thanks to Arijit Ghosh, David Wright, Kris-Ann Nansen, Radhika Banka, and the OU Studio Team for helping us create this episode. ----------------------------------------------------- Episode Transcript: 00:00 Welcome to the Oracle University Podcast, the first stop on your cloud journey. During this series of informative podcasts, we'll bring you foundational training on the most popular Oracle technologies. Let's get started! 00:25 Nikita: Welcome to the Oracle University Podcast! I'm Nikita Abraham, Team Lead: Editorial Services with Oracle University, and with me is Lois Houston, Director of Innovation Programs. Lois: Hey there! Last week, we spoke about how hypervisors, virtual machines, and containers have transformed data centers. Today, we're moving on to something just as important—the main cloud models that drive modern cloud computing. Nikita: Orlando Gentil, Principal OCI Instructor at Oracle University, joins us once again for part four of our discussion on cloud data centers.  01:01 Lois: Hi Orlando! Glad to have you with us today. Can you walk us through the different types of cloud models?  Orlando: These are commonly categorized into three main service models: Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Software-as-a-Service. Let's use the idea of getting around town to understand cloud service models. IaaS is like renting a car. You don't own the car, but you control where it goes, how fast, and when to stop. In cloud terms, the provider gives you the infrastructure—virtual machines, storage, and networking—but you manage everything on top—the OS, middleware, runtime, and application. Thus, it's like using a shuttle service. You bring your bags—your code, pick your destination—your app requirements, but someone else drives and maintains the vehicle. You don't worry about the engine, fuel, or routing planning. That's the platform's job. Your focus stays on development and deployment, not on servers or patching. SaaS is like ordering a taxi. You say where you want to go and everything else is handled for you. It's the full-service experience. In the cloud, SaaS is software UXs over the web—Email, CRM, project management. No infrastructure, no updates, just productivity.  02:32 Nikita: Ok. How do the trade-offs between control and convenience differ across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS? Orlando: With IaaS, much like renting a car, you gain high control. You are managing components like the operating system, runtime, your applications, and your data. In return, the provider expertly handles the underlying virtual machines, storage, and networking. This model gives you immense flexibility. Moving to PaaS, our shuttle service, you shift to a medium level of control but gain significantly higher convenience. Your primary focus remains on your application code and data. The provider now takes on the heavy lifting of managing the runtime environment, the operating system, the servers themselves, and even the scaling. Finally, SaaS, our taxi service, offers the highest convenience with the lowest control level. Here, your responsibility is essentially just using the application and managing your specific configurations or data within it. The cloud provider manages absolutely everything else—the entire infrastructure, the platform, and the application itself. 03:52 Nikita: One of the top concerns for cloud users is cost optimization. How can we manage this? Orlando: Each cloud service model offers distinct strategies to help you manage and reduce your spending effectively, as well as different factors that drives those costs. For Infrastructure-as-a-Service, where you have more control, optimization largely revolves around smart resource management. This means rightsizing your VMs, ensuring they are not overprovisioned, and actively turning off idle resources when not in use. Leveraging preemptible or spot instances for flexible workloads can also significantly cut costs. Your charges here are directly tied to your compute, storage, and network usage, so efficiency is key. Moving to Platform-as-a-Service, where the platform is managed for you, optimization shifts slightly. Strategies include choosing scalable platforms that can efficiently handle fluctuating demand, opting for consumption-based pricing where available, and diligently optimizing your runtime usage to minimize processing time. Costs in PaaS are typically based on your application usage, runtime hours, and storage consumed. Finally, for Software-as-a-Service where you can consume a ready-to-use application, cost optimization centers on licensing and usage. This involves consolidating tools to avoid redundant subscriptions, selecting usage-based plans if they align better with your needs, and crucially, eliminating any unused license. SaaS costs are generally based on subscription or per user fees. Understanding these nuances is essential for effective cloud financial management.  05:52 Lois: Ok. And what about scalability? How does each model handle the ability to grow and shrink with demand, without needing manual hardware changes? Orlando: How you achieve and manage that scalability varies significantly across our three service models. For Infrastructure-as-a-Service, you have the most direct control over scaling. You can implement manual or auto scaling by adding or removing virtual machines as needed, often leveraging load balancers to distribute traffic. In this model, you configure the scaling policies and parameters based on your specific workload. Moving to Platform-as-a-Service, the scaling becomes more automated and elastic. The platform automatically adjusts resources based on your application's demand, allowing it to seamlessly handle traffic spikes or dips. Here, the provider manages the underlying scaling behavior, freeing you from that operational burden. Finally, with Software-as-a-Service, scalability is largely abstracted and invisible to the user. The application scales automatically in the background, with the entire process fully managed by the provider. As a user, you simply benefit from the application's ability to handle millions of users without ever needing to worry about the infrastructure. Understanding these scaling differences is crucial for selecting the right model for your application's need.  07:34 Join the Oracle University Learning Community and tap into a vibrant network of over 1 million members, including Oracle experts and fellow learners. This dynamic community is the perfect place to grow your skills, connect with likeminded learners, and celebrate your successes. As a MyLearn subscriber, you have access to engage with your fellow learners and participate in activities in the community. Visit community.oracle.com/ou to check things out today!  08:05 Nikita: Welcome back! We've talked about cost optimization and scalability in cloud environments. But what about ensuring availability? How does that work?  Orlando: Availability refers to the ability of a system or service to remain accessible in operational, even in the face of failures or extremely high demand. The approach of achieving and managing availability, and crucially, your role versus the provider's differs greatly across each model. With Infrastructure-as-a-Service, you have the most direct control over your availability strategy. You will be responsible for designing an architecture that includes redundant VMs, deploying load balancers, and potentially even multi-region setups for disaster recovery. Your specific roles involves designing this architecture and managing your failover process and data backups. The provider's role, in turn, is to deliver the underlying infrastructure with defined service level agreements, SLAs, and health monitoring. For Platform-as-a-Service, the platform itself offers a higher degree of built-in, high availability, and automated failover. While the provider maintains the runtime platform's availability, your role shifts. You need to ensure your application's logic is designed to gracefully handle retries and potential transient failures that might occur. Finally, with Software-as-a-Service, availability is almost entirely handled for you. The provider ensures fully abstracted redundancy and failover behind the scenes. Your role becomes largely minimal, often just involving a specific application's configurations. The provider is entirely responsible for the full application uptime and the underlying high availability infrastructure. Understanding these distinct roles in ensuring availability is essential for setting expectations and designing your cloud strategy efficiently. 10:19 Lois: Building on availability, let's talk Disaster Recovery. Orlando: DR is about ensuring your systems and data can be recovered and brought back online in the event of a significant failure, whether it's a hardware crash, a natural disaster, or even human error. Just like the other aspects, the strategy and responsibilities for DR vary significantly across the cloud service models. For Infrastructure-as-a Service, you have the most direct involvement in your DR strategy. You need to design and execute custom DR plans. This involves leveraging capabilities like multi-region backups, taking VM snapshots, and setting up failover clusters. A real-world example might be using Oracle Cloud compute to replicate your VMs to a secondary region with block volume backups to ensure business continuity. Essentially, you manage your entire DR process here. Moving to Platform-as-a-Service, disaster recovery becomes a shared responsibility. The platform itself offers built-in redundancy and provide APIs for backup and restore. Your role will be to configure the application-level recovery and ensure your data is backed up appropriately, while the provider handles the underlying infrastructure's DR capability. An example could be Azure app service, Oracle APEX applications, where your apps are redeployed from source control like Git after an incident. Finally, with Software-as-a-Service, disaster recovery is almost entirely vendor managed. The provider takes full responsibility, offering features like auto replication and continuous backup, often backed by specific Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) SLAs. A common example is how Microsoft 365 or Salesforce manage user data backups in restoration. It's all handled seamlessly by the provider without your direct intervention. Understanding these different approaches to DR is crucial for defining your own business continuity plans in the cloud. 12:46 Lois: Thank you, Orlando, for this insightful discussion. To recap, we spoke about the three main cloud models: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, and how each one offers a different mix of control and convenience, impacting cost, scalability, availability, and recovery.  Nikita: Yeah, hopefully this helps you pick the right cloud solution for your needs. If you want to learn more about the topics we discussed today, head over to mylearn.oracle.com and search for the Cloud Tech Jumpstart course. In our next episode, we'll take a close look at the essentials of networking. Until then, this is Nikita Abraham… Lois: And Lois Houston, signing off! 13:26 That's all for this episode of the Oracle University Podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please click Subscribe to get all the latest episodes. We'd also love it if you would take a moment to rate and review us on your podcast app. See you again on the next episode of the Oracle University Podcast.

Marketers are hooked on attribution perfection. Meanwhile, your buyers are ghosting and your “AI-powered” campaigns sound like everyone else's. What if the edge isn't more dashboards but it's better judgment?In this episode, Nicole Gates, VP Growth Marketing at Varonis tears up the playbook B2B keeps clinging to. She shows how a “process person” builds a launch machine that actually ships, why tiering by customer impact (not internal hype) changes everything, and how moving SDRs under marketing with real SLAs turns MQL theater into pipeline. We dig into the noisy AI arms race (robots fighting robots), shifting budget from paid-to-play to earned trust via thought leadership, and using AI where it improves outcomes (routing, enrichment, speed-to-lead), not where it creates slop.We also cover:How to tier your launches by what matters to customers, not your org chart.Why the best growth marketers think more like editors than analysts.What happens when you replace data obsession with decision confidence.

Ever felt like your to-do list was running your life instead of the other way around?  This week, Tamara sits down with Erika from Trello, who went from being part of a 10-person product marketing team to leading a two-person powerhouse and somehow became more productive in the process. They unpack how to set real boundaries, build systems that scale (without burning out), and turn chaos into clarity. From choosing the right tools and saying no to endless Slack pings, to developing intentional rituals and co-creating SLAs across teams, Erika shares practical ways to bring sanity back to your workflow. If you've ever wrestled with a launch that didn't hit its mark, struggled to get cross-functional buy-in, or wondered how to make your messaging actually resonate, this is the episode for you.  Follow Erika: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-storli/ Follow Tamara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaragrominsky/ Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: www.workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennials Daniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. To find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

There are a lot of worries in B2B right now. AI, tight budgets, shifting search. The one that should sit near the top? Disconnected campaigns. Scattered themes, mixed messages, disconnected plays. Buyers can't follow the story and impact fades fast. Integrated campaigns fix that. In this episode, Drew brings together Kelly Hopping (Demandbase), Scott Morris (Sprout Social), and Marni Carmichael (ImageSource) to share how they make integration work at their companies. You'll hear how one story aligns teams, builds momentum over quarters, and stays on track with shared goals and tight handoffs. By the end, you'll come away with different ways to align message, motion, and measurement behind one story. In this episode: Kelly shares how company and pipeline goals set the theme, channels, partner plays, and internal enablement. Scott explains how a hub-and-spoke campaign model unites brand and demand, and how quarterly launches turn features into a full-funnel motion. Marni shares how tight SDR handoffs, quick follow ups, and clear SLAs keep campaigns from stalling in the field. Plus: How to set one message that adapts by persona without splintering the story How to plan one quarter ahead so execution and enablement stay in sync What to measure from awareness through to deal conversion When to bring partners and customers into the narrative to lift conversion It's time to align every effort into connected campaigns that build momentum. Tune in! For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

"Pakistan is a country of SLAs pretending to be pacers" - this throwaway text from Osman on PiPY led to this podcast: a discussion on the aesthetics of Pakistani bowling, how they changed irrevocably with Imran Khan, and how the continued presence of guys like Noman in the chaos since is what makes sports so beautiful. Follow us on Youtube!

Starlink has become the most disruptive force in the satellite industry, and the new service-level agreement (SLA) guarantees for its ‘Priority' packages add to the disruption. In this episode, space and satellite experts Christopher Baugh and Lluc Palerm discuss how these developments are changing competition in high-value verticals such as backhaul, enterprise and maritime. They explore how traditional satellite connectivity providers can defend their positions, differentiate their services and continue to deliver value in an increasingly Starlink-dominated market. Learn about Starlink's broadband access plans and pricing tracker 2Q 2025.

Recommendation engines, dynamic pricing, conversational CX—AI can unlock them all. But without trustworthy, unified data, AI simply amplifies bad patterns. Inspired by No AI without data: Why digital success starts with the basics, this episode separates signal from noise: the trillion-dollar cost of poor data quality, why “garbage in, garbage out” still rules, and the concrete steps leaders are taking to fix foundations before scaling AI.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why AI Fails (and How Data Breaks It)The “data goldmine” myth: lots of data ≠ useful dataHidden data factory: the staggering productivity drain of bad dataHow flaws cause AI misfires: overfitting, edge-case blind spots, spurious correlations, bias, and data driftThe Foundational Fix—A Practical BlueprintAudit reality: map systems (including shadow spreadsheets), ownership, and gapsProduct master cleanup: normalize attributes, units, categories, and hierarchiesCustomer master cleanup: dedupe, resolve parent/child relationships, link true buying historyTransaction discipline: capture why (promo, override, contract) to distinguish signal from noiseIntegration layer: ETL/ELT into a governed warehouse/lake for a single source of truthGovernance & DQM: owners, rules, SLAs, privacy (GDPR/HIPAA), and controls embedded in workflowsFrom Cost Center to Growth EngineCut the hidden factory (free analysts & data scientists to build, not mop up)Enable reliable AI: pricing, recommendations, inventory optimization, service automationBuild resilience: continuous data quality, monitoring, and model retraining to counter driftOrganization & Culture—Making ‘Data First' StickCross-functional accountability: sales, finance, ops, IT share metrics and incentives“Design for capture”: make high-quality data entry the easiest path for frontline teamsIterate in quarters, not years: ship foundations, measure lift, scale patternsKey Takeaways:You can't buy your way around data quality—AI learns whatever you feed it.Clean product, customer, and transaction data is the fastest path to dependable AI.Governance turns one-off cleans into durable capability (and lower operating costs).Embed “why” at the point of entry to convert exceptions into learnable signals.Get the data right and everything improves: pricing, CX, supply chain, analytics.Subscribe for more pragmatic playbooks on turning AI ambition into measurable outcomes. Visit The Future of Commerce for deep dives on data governance, architecture patterns, and AI implementation. Share this episode with ops leaders, data teams, and execs who own revenue and risk.

Send us a textLive from SLAS Europe 2025 in Hamburg, host Emily Yamasaki, PhD, speaks with Lukas Gaats, MBA, MSc, CEO of mo:re (Modern Research) who is a winner of the SLAS Europe 2025 New Product Award. Based in Hamburg, mo:re is revolutionizing 3D cell culture automation with a modular, biology-first platform designed for organoids, spheroids, and tumor models.Lukas shares his journey from academia (studying regenerative medicine and bioprinting in Australia) to founding mo:re after identifying the need for standardized, reproducible 3D cell cultures. Frustrated by the variability in manual techniques, the company developed a modular robotic system that integrates hardware, software and wetware (biology protocols). The MO:BOT is a user-friendly robotic and software platform that sets a new benchmark for medical research studies. It utilizes automation and AI to enhance cell survival and consistency, even in long-term studies, resulting in improved traceability and reproducibility for research and regulatory purposes.Learn more about mo:re by visiting:more.scienceKey Highlights:SLAS Innovation AveNEW Roots: mo:re's 2023 debut as a prototype evolved into a commercialized platform, now backed by seed funding.FDA's Animal Testing Phase-Out: Lukas discusses how this regulatory shift boosts demand for human-relevant 3D models.Hamburg's Biotech Scene: An emerging hub with talent from EMBL and Fraunhofer, though still nascent for startups.Stay connected with SLAS:www.slas.orgFacebookXLinkedInInstagramYouTubeAbout SLASSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and globalSLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition February 7-11, 2026 Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition 19-21 May 2026 Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar

Windows 10: última llamadaWindows 10 termina soporte el 14 de octubre: opciones, ESU gratis, riesgos y ejemplos reales en Latinoamérica y España  Por Félix Riaño @LocutorCo  Microsoft va a cerrar el ciclo de Windows 10 el 14 de octubre de 2025. Hoy vamos a explicar qué significa “fin de soporte”, cómo proteger tus datos, qué hacer si tu PC no puede con Windows 11 y cómo activar, sin pagar, un año extra de parches de seguridad. Además, voy a contarte con ejemplos claros qué pasará con tus bancos, tus apps de trabajo y hasta con trámites en línea si sigues usando Windows 10 después de esa fecha, tanto en México, Colombia y otros países de Latinoamérica como en España.  El reloj corre para Windows 10. El 14 de octubre de 2025 termina el soporte de seguridad. Microsoft va a enviar ese día el último parche oficial. Después, tu computador ya no va a estar protegido contra nuevas amenazas. Son más de 600 millones de personas en el mundo en esta situación. En Latinoamérica, donde mucha gente conserva los equipos durante más años, el impacto es fuerte: millones de computadores no pasan la prueba de Windows 11. Y en España, trámites como la Renta online o el acceso a la Seguridad Social dependen de sistemas seguros. ¿Qué pasa con la banca, con la universidad, con el comercio electrónico y con las plataformas de estudio si tu PC queda sin soporte? Hoy lo vamos a resolver con ejemplos de la vida real.  ¿Y si tu banco o tu trámite digital te bloquea por seguir en Windows 10?  Cuando Microsoft habla de “fin de soporte” no es solo un concepto técnico. Significa que cada nuevo fallo descubierto en Windows 10 queda abierto, y eso golpea directamente la vida diaria. En Colombia, bancos como Bancolombia, Davivienda o Nequi revisan la seguridad del sistema antes de abrir sesión; y en México, Banamex y BBVA usan verificaciones similares. Plataformas de pagos como PSE en Colombia o SPEI en México ya han bloqueado sistemas viejos como Windows 7 y podrían repetirlo con Windows 10. En España, la situación es parecida: CaixaBankNow, Banco Santander o BBVA España pueden rechazar navegadores en equipos sin parches para evitar fraudes. Lo mismo ocurre con la Agencia Tributaria, que exige certificados seguros para la declaración de la Renta, y con la Seguridad Social, que pide compatibilidad con el sistema Cl@ve. Incluso universidades como la Complutense o la Autónoma dependen de plataformas como Moodle o Aula Global que requieren sistemas actualizados.  El conflicto aparece cuando tu PC funciona bien, pero no cumple con los requisitos de Windows 11, como TPM 2.0 o procesadores recientes. En Perú y Ecuador aún se usan portátiles de hace ocho o diez años, útiles para tareas básicas, pero que quedan bloqueados para la actualización. En México, eso significa que podrías no entrar a la página del SAT para tus impuestos. En Colombia, la DIAN ya exige navegadores modernos para facturación electrónica, lo que puede fallar en un sistema obsoleto. En España, los autónomos y pymes que usan Facturae para facturación electrónica o certificados digitales con la AEAT corren el mismo riesgo. Además, el comercio electrónico se ve afectado: pasarelas como Redsys ya requieren cifrados TLS modernos. Y como los ciberdelincuentes saben que Windows 10 va a quedar sin parches, será un blanco fácil para ransomware, fraudes y robo de datos en cualquier país.  Ahora, ¿cómo protegerse? Si tu PC soporta Windows 11, la respuesta es simple: actualiza gratis y quedas cubierto. Si no, está el programa Extended Security Updates (ESU). Para usuarios en casa existen dos formas gratuitas: activar Windows Backup con OneDrive o usar mil puntos de Microsoft Rewards. Así recibes un año extra de parches, hasta el 13 de octubre de 2026. Si prefieres, puedes pagar 30 dólares por ese mismo año. En paralelo, bancos y servicios recomiendan apoyarse en aplicaciones móviles seguras. En Colombia y México, apps como Nequi, Bancolombia o Banamex garantizan acceso seguro a cuentas. En España, Santander, CaixaBank o BBVA ofrecen apps con autenticación en dos pasos que reducen riesgos. Otra salida es Windows 365 en la nube, que te permite alquilar un PC virtual con Windows 11 y abrirlo desde tu equipo viejo. Y, para los más técnicos, existen proyectos como Flyoobe que instalan Windows 11 en hardware no compatible, aunque con riesgos.  150 palabras o másLas fechas son claras: el 14 de octubre de 2025 termina el soporte de Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education e IoT Enterprise. También acaba para LTSB 2015. Ese mismo día comienza la presión: bancos, portales y servicios online van a empezar a rechazar equipos inseguros. En Colombia, la plataforma PSE ya dio precedentes cuando bloqueó navegadores antiguos. En México, SPEI y el portal del SAT hacen lo mismo. En España, la Agencia Tributaria, la Seguridad Social y pasarelas como Redsys podrían marcar errores de conexión si el PC no cumple los requisitos de seguridad. Incluso universidades dependen de Moodle o Aula Global, que requieren navegadores modernos. El comercio electrónico, desde Zara hasta El Corte Inglés, se apoya en Redsys para pagos, y si tu navegador no cumple con TLS actualizado, simplemente no podrás pagar. El ecosistema digital en Latinoamérica y en España empuja a dejar atrás Windows 10 aunque siga encendiendo.  )Si estás en España, México, Colombia, Perú o cualquier país de la región, revisa ya tu PC. Si puede con Windows 11, actualízalo. Si no, activa ESU gratis con Windows Backup y gana un año más de protección. Así no pierdes acceso a bancos, universidades ni trámites. Más detalles en Flash Diario.  Windows 10 termina el 14 de octubre. Activa ESU gratis o actualiza, o bancos, trámites y apps pueden bloquearte.  BibliografíaForbes – Microsoft Windows Deadline—30 Days To Update Or Stop Using Your PCBleepingComputer – Microsoft reminds of Windows 10 support ending in 30 daysCNET – Microsoft Offers Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for FreeWindows Insider Blog – Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.6388¿Quieres que prepare una sección aparte con historias narradas (ejemplo: “María en Madrid intenta entrar a CaixaBank y recibe un aviso… Jorge en Bogotá queda bloqueado en PSE…”) para darle aún más color cotidiano al guion?Conviértete en un seguidor de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/flash-diario-de-el-siglo-21-es-hoy--5835407/support.

Uptime ideals vs reality in the AI era. A recent post from Theo (t3.gg) calling out sub-90% uptime on a major AI service reignites the question: how seriously should we treat downtime for non-critical apps? In this episode Matt and Mike dig into SLAs, the real cost of monitoring and rapid support, why “always-on” isn't free, and whether 24/7 expectations turn developers into shift workers instead of on-call responders. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/does-downtime-matter

“We eliminate CapEx, embed Zero Trust by default, and lower TCO by 30–40%.” — Niraj Singh, Chief Business Development Officer, Nile Niraj Singh, Chief Business Development Officer at Nile, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to discuss how Nile is redefining enterprise networking with a consumption-based, AI-driven model built for telcos and MSPs. Unlike legacy vendors that sell hardware, licenses, and bolt-on security, Nile delivers Networking-as-a-Service (NaaS) with: 100% OpEx, no CapEx — fully consumption-based pricing Campus Zero Trust built in — isolating every user, device, and app to stop malware propagation AI-native automation — real-time telemetry, anomaly detection, and self-healing networks Lifecycle management included — upgrades, patches, and RMAs fully covered Nile backs its model with a four-nines SLA and money-back guarantee, a rare commitment in enterprise networking. For telcos and MSPs, the impact is significant: Reduced churn by embedding in-building networks alongside connectivity Higher margins thanks to lower TCO (30–40% savings over five years) New revenue streams through bundled, end-to-end secure services Improved NPS with guaranteed reliability and simplified operations “Telcos often compete on commodity connectivity. By partnering with Nile, they can deliver end-to-end SLAs, differentiate services, and retain customers,” Singh explained. Learn more at nilesecure.com.

Maksym Tkach, Chief Technology Officer at Frogo, sits down with us to discuss the company's breakthrough innovations in fraud prevention. From solving the hardest latency challenges in real-time detection to building a scalable, cloud-native architecture with Go and microservices, he shares how Frogo became the trusted partner for high-risk industries like fintech and iGaming. What's the biggest technical challenge you solved while building Frogo's real-time fraud detection engine? That's a great question. The single biggest challenge was resolving the fundamental conflict between detection complexity and real-time performance. Our clients, especially in fintech and iGaming, need to evaluate dozens, sometimes hundreds of data points and rules in a single transaction. But they also have strict SLAs, often under 500 milliseconds, because any added latency directly costs them money in lost conversions or rejected transactions. Doing both seemed impossible. Our breakthrough came when we broke the problem down into two parts: rule orchestration and data retrieval. For rule orchestration, we found that standard sequential rule engines were too slow. Many rules could be run in parallel, but some depended on the output of others. To solve this, my team and I designed a proprietary dependency graph execution engine we call 'LTee'. It stands for Layered Tree. Before processing a transaction, LTee analyses the entire rule set and organises it into layers. Layer 1 contains all independent rules that can be executed in parallel immediately. Layer 2 contains rules that depend on Layer 1's results, and so on. This model allows us to achieve maximum parallelisation while respecting data dependencies. In the worst case, it runs sequentially but for most transactions, it dramatically reduces execution time. For data retrieval, the bottleneck was calculating complex aggregations on the fly, for example, 'What's the 95th percentile of this user's transaction amount over the last 7 days?'. Querying a traditional database for this during a transaction is a non-starter for our latency budget. So, we made a strategic trade-off. We use Aerospike as a specialised time-series aggregation store. We pre-calculate and store metrics like standard deviation, percentiles and averages across various time windows and granularities. It consumes more storage, but it turns a computationally expensive query into a simple, sub-millisecond key-value lookup. For high-cardinality counts, like 'how many distinct devices has this user logged in from?', we use the proprietary approach algorithm to get near-instant, memory-efficient estimates. By combining these solutions, we turned our engine from a sequential process into a highly parallelised system fueled by pre-computed data. The result was a reduction in our p99 latency from over 5000ms to under 300ms, even with complex rule sets. This didn't just meet our SLAs; it became our core competitive advantage and allowed us to win major clients who had previously found other systems to be too slow. Why did you choose Go and a microservice architecture, and how has it shaped Frogo's scalability? This was a foundational decision driven by our need for performance, reliability, and developer velocity. For the language, we chose Go for three specific reasons: 1. Exceptional Concurrency for Our Workload: Fraud detection is an I/O-bound problem. For a single API call, we might need to fetch user data from Aerospike, check a device fingerprint, and query a 3rd party service simultaneously. Go's goroutines are lightweight and perfect for this. We can fire off thousands of concurrent operations efficiently, which is key to keeping our latency low. A language with heavier threads, like Java, would have been far less resource-efficient for our specific use case. 2. Performance and Simplicity: We adhere to the KISS principle. Go is simple to read and write, which speeds up onboarding for new engineers and reduces bugs. Critically, i...

Hosts: Lalo Solorzano & Andy Shiles Guest: Diane Perez, Senior Trade Manager Published: August 28, 2025 Length: ~38 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center

Send us a textIn this no-punches-pulled return from hiatus, Ken and Mike dig deep into the messy middle of vulnerability management, SLA fatigue, and the illusion of compliance. Are we building secure systems or just passing audits? From legacy cruft to exploitable CVEs, this episode unpacks the real-world pressures of SOC 2, the auditor dance, and whether fixing every “critical” is even feasible.Perfect for practitioners trying to balance the checkbox culture with actual risk reduction, this one's got stories, strategies, and spicy takes. Bonus: tips on managing auditors without losing your mind—or your security posture.

Briana Birkholz and Joe Lynch discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. Briana is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce, the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. About Briana Birkholz Briana Birkholz is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce. With a passion for overcoming supply chain and logistics challenges, Briana is committed to addressing the distinct needs of customers through comprehensive, full-service solutions. Briana's extensive experience in driving innovation, strategic development and execution consistently delivers outstanding results for third-party logistics companies. About SPS Commerce SPS Commerce is the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners across the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all stakeholders in the retail ecosystem. The company enables data-driven partnerships through innovative cloud-based technology, customer-centric service, and a team of accessible industry experts—allowing clients to focus on their core business. With over 45,000 recurring revenue customers spanning retail, grocery, distribution, supply, manufacturing, and logistics, SPS Commerce powers a vast and growing global retail network. Key Takeaways: Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain Briana Birkholz and Joe Lynch discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. The hidden enemies include the following: Inconsistent Time to Revenue: The Silent Growth Killer - Lengthy onboarding processes erode cash flow and strain customer relationships, highlighting evolving customer expectations. SPS Commerce's "plug-and-play" solutions drastically reduce onboarding time from months to days. The Cost of Chaos: Inconsistent Order Intake - Managing orders through disparate channels (phone, email, portals, PDFs) breeds errors and jeopardizes SLAs due to human error. SPS Commerce standardizes order formats for improved efficiency and control. Decoding Retailer Complexity: Unravel the challenges of adhering to intricate retailer requirements (packing slips, labels, routing guides, ASN timing) and the costly consequences of non-compliance (chargebacks, damaged relationships, lost shelf space). SPS Commerce automates document generation and validation to ensure first-time compliance. SPS Commerce is the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. SPS Commerce brings the following advantages: Industry Leader in Cloud-Based EDI Solutions: SPS Commerce specializes in cloud-based supply chain management, helping retailers, suppliers, and logistics providers automate and streamline their operations through advanced EDI and data analytics tools. Demonstrated Consistent Growth as a High-Performing Public Company: SPS Commerce has a long and consistent track record of growth, primarily organic, underscoring its position as a strong performer on NASDAQ (ticker: SPSC). Global Presence with Local Support: Headquartered in Minneapolis, SPS has expanded internationally with offices in major cities like Toronto, Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, supporting a worldwide customer base with localized service. Growth via Smart Acquisitions: Strategic buys like Data Masons, InterTrade, and SupplyPike have allowed SPS to broaden its tech stack and deepen its value across the retail supply chain ecosystem. Recognized for Culture and Innovation: Known for its positive workplace environment, SPS was ranked the best large workplace in Minnesota in 2015 and continues to invest in talent and innovation to drive forward-thinking supply chain solutions. Learn More About Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain Briana Birkholz | Linkedin SPS Commerce | Linkedin SPS Commerce Woods Distribution Case Study Arcadia Cold Storage & Logistics Case Study The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

Começamos provocando: mais visibilidade sempre ajuda? Partimos de um caso real para discutir por que dashboards sem ação só empilham problemas. Falamos de ruído de alertas, thresholds mal calibrados e cultura de “ver tudo” que, sem priorização, não move o ponteiro.Na sequência, entramos na parte estratégica: apetite de risco, ownership e quem tem o crachá para dizer “vai” ou “não vai”. Trazemos exemplos contrastando setores (financeiro vs. saúde), impacto no negócio e como isso redefine criticidade, SLAs e o que é “aceitável” em produção.Fechamos com prática de campo: shift left de verdade (não é “rodar o Sonar e pronto”), modelagem de ameaças para começar pelo básico certo (acesso, hardening, atualização), e o papel de Kubernetes na jornada em que o foco volta para o produto — com priorização inteligente, e não caça a balas de prata.Links Importantes:- Caroline Assunção - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-assuncao/- João Brito - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juniorjbn- Assista ao FilmeTEArapia - https://youtu.be/M4QFmW_HZh0?si=HIXBDWZJ8yPbpflMO Kubicast é uma produção da Getup, empresa especialista em Kubernetes e projetos open source para Kubernetes. Os episódios do podcast estão nas principais plataformas de áudio digital e no YouTube.com/@getupcloud.

In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, Sarah Nicastro speaks withPatrycja Sobera, SVP and GM of Digital Workplace Solutions at Unisys, about how organizations can differentiate through experience management. Discover how Unisys has transformed service delivery through their Experience Management Office, evolved from traditional SLAs to experience-focused metrics, and is delivering powerful experiences using a combination of proactive automation and human touch. Patrycja also shares candid insights on addressing the aging workforce challenge in field service, fostering workplace diversity in tech, and achieving career success while balancing motherhood.

Sometimes it's not the payer or the process—it's your partner. This fast episode unpacks how weak vendor SLAs and poor integration can trigger a revenue delay spiral that stalls cash flow and frustrates patients.

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews David Neikrug, CEO at Optimatum Solutions, about managing vendors of employer-sponsored healthcare and a recent Optimatum Solutions report, “A Path Not Taken: Vendor Management in Employer-Sponsored Healthcare”. David explores with Justin the topic of applying risk management tools to HR programs and plans, an area that risk managers rarely visit. They touch on ways for risk managers to contribute at the table using the risk management skills and tools that they have applied to recognized risk areas for years.   Listen to learn about the benefits of managing benefit plan vendors.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:17] About this episode of RIMScast. Our topic is vendor management. We will dive deeply with Optimatum Solutions CEO, David Neikrug. [:40] RIMS-CRMP Workshops! The next Virtual RIMS-CRMP exam prep, co-hosted by Parima, will be held on September 2nd and 3rd. [:50] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED virtual workshop will be held on November 11th and 12th, and led by Joseph Mayo. Links to these courses can be found on the Certification Page of RIMS.org and through this episode's show notes. [1:07] RIMS Virtual Workshops! RIMS has launched a new course, “Intro to ERM for Senior Leaders.” It will be held again on November 4th and 5th and will be led by Elise Farnham. RIMS members enjoy deep discounts! [1:24] The full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's notes. [1:35] The next RIMS Webinar will be held on September 4th and will be led by AXA XL. It is titled “Lockdown & Level Up: Turn Up Your Cyber Security Game Against Creative Cyber Criminals”. [1:48] On September 18th, Origami Risk will present “Driving Better Incident and Claims Management with Data, Technology & Strategic Collaboration”. [1:56] On October 30th, Swiss Re will present “Parametric Insurance: Providing Financial Certainty in Uncertain Times”. [2:05] On November 6th, Hub will present “Geopolitical Whiplash — Building Resilient Global Risk Programs in an Unstable World”. Register at RIMS.org/Webinars. [2:17] Mark your calendars for November 17th and 18th for the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is jam-packed with educational sessions that will resonate with risk practitioners in all stages of their careers. [2:38] See the full agenda at RIMS.org/ERM2025. [2:44] RISKWORLD 2026 will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 3rd through May 6th. RIMS members can now lock in the 2025 rate for a full conference pass to RISKWORLD 2026 when registering by September 30th. [2:58] This also lets you enjoy earlier access to the RISKWORLD hotel block. Register by September 30th, and you will also be entered to win a $500 raffle. Don't miss out on this chance to plan and score some extra perks. [3:11] The members-only registration link is in this episode's show notes. If you are not yet a member, this is the time to join us. Visit RIMS.org/membership and build your risk network with us here at RIMS. [3:26] On with the show! You wanted to hear about vendor management, and that's why I reached out to Optimatum Solutions CEO, David Neikrug, to discuss the findings in Optimatum's new report, “A Path Not Taken: Vendor Management in Employer-Sponsored Healthcare”. [3:50] It's got some fascinating insights, and I wanted to extend the dialogue beyond the PDF, so let's get started! [3:56] Interview! David Neikrug, welcome to RIMScast! [4:07] Justin hasn't covered vendor management much on RIMScast. Justin invited David on the show to talk about Optimatum's publicly available paper, “A Path Not Taken: Vendor Management in Employer-Sponsored Healthcare.” This speaks to a risk management audience. [4:28] There is a link in this episode's show notes. The average cost of healthcare in 2025 is pushing north of $25K total cost, per employee per year, and it's an outsourced function. It's a large amount of money. [5:08] HR generally doesn't have the traditional service level agreements (SLAs) or performance guarantees that are present in an IT services agreement. That's a major disconnect that leads to financial, operational, and risk issues that go unchecked. [5:44] Traditionally, we don't see risk managers getting involved in HR things like employer-sponsored healthcare. David encourages risk managers to take the tools and skills they know and apply them to HR and employer-sponsored healthcare and retirement plans. [6:23] David suggests risk managers should demand vendor transparency when it comes to fees, debits, and credits. David talks about pharmacy rebates, segregation, and how credits are captured and applied. [7:09] David says vendor harmonization can be applied vertically or horizontally. The vertical side is when a company has acquired several HR benefits and programs, and then merges them into one program. The value creation by doing that is immense. [7:56] David says horizontal harmonization applies to anybody who aggregates companies of various kinds, including family offices. Each company may have a disparate benefits plan. Bringing plans together can save hundreds to thousands of dollars per employee per year. [8:46] Those are the types of numbers Optimatum Solutions is seeing as the opportunity for a risk manager to focus on as a quantifiable value proposition of bringing 10 vendor programs into one aggregated program. [9:14] From a risk standpoint, you have a single source to manage across enterprises. [9:31] David often speaks using numbers to convey the point. He says risk managers have a wealth of information and know what they are doing. When it comes to opportunities to create value, HR is an area they're not thinking about. [10:25] David suggests surveying risk managers and asking what percentage of risk managers are focused on the HR side, employer-sponsored healthcare, and retirement plans. You'll see the opportunity is almost endless. [10:44] Quick Break for RIMS Events!  On September 18th, the 10th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum will be held at The Old Post Office in Chicago. Register at ChicagoRIMS.org. [10:59] On October 1st through the 3rd, the RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held in North San Jose at the Santa Clara Marriott. The agenda is live. It looks fantastic! Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and register today! [11:15] On November 17th and 18th, elevate your ERM Program and career at the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is live, and early rates are available until September 5th. Register now to save $110 and secure your spot at the ERM event of the year. [11:37] Canadian listeners, take note, that's just a little bit South of the border in British Columbia. That's a great way to extend your knowledge after the RIMS Canada Conference. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2025 to register. [11:52] At the top, Justin mentioned RISKWORLD 2026. Through September 4th, the RISKWORLD education content submission process is still open. [12:02] RIMS invites you to share your experiences, best practices, and innovative strategies that represent the global outlook of risk management. Send us your submission, and who knows? We might select you to speak at RISKWORLD 2026 in Philadelphia! The link is in the show notes. [12:20] Let's Return to My Interview with David Neikrug!  [12:42] David says the first thing to do is make sure risk managers have a seat at the table of employer-sponsored healthcare. They need to look at and understand all the terms and conditions of the contracts, looking for the low-hanging fruit. [12:55] Look for Service Level Agreements, Performance Guarantees, and Built-in Reconciliation Clauses for the vendor to provide a self-reconciliation of all the debits and credits from the plan year. Understand the contracts. [13:17] Second, make sure that you're a part of the team. Look at what you can do, bringing all the tools that you've acquired, dealing with the risk side over the years, and applying them to the HR benefits side. [13:54] For organizations of between 500 to 5,000 employees, there is ample opportunity. Those are going more unwatched than the larger organizations. The vendors aren't used to being held as accountable as they are for a Fortune 100. [14:21] David would say there isn't an organization that doesn't have an opportunity. It's a matter of focusing on it and bringing your expertise to the table to help your organization hold those vendors accountable, drive savings and performance, and create value. [14:59] David said Optimatum Solutions had a client that was a rapidly growing organization. They had acquired a company and decided to change the acquired company's vendor because they had been using a different vendor. [15:22] David mentions that Optimatum Solutions has a focus on improving or fixing relationships with vendors, versus running an RFP and finding a new vendor. It's better to fix a problem than to replace it. [15:40] Someone at the client company decided to move the pension plan business of the acquired company to a new provider. The plan was started in 1972, before the ERISA regulations on how pension plans are managed. The new vendor did no due diligence and took it over. [16:37] Within the first year, there was a claim by a retiree that the lump sum payment should have been 10 times what it was, stemming from one example in a plan document of how a benefit will be calculated. The company had to defend an $18 million potential claim. [17:11] It took three years to resolve. This taught the new vendor what the old vendor had been doing seamlessly for all those years. The former vendor knew how to deal with various situations, including payments to international employees. [17:49] The new vendor hadn't understood what they were acquiring. That led to a colossal mess. [18:10] It was an HR issue. They had a risk manager, but hadn't thought of having the risk manager at the table for this event. [18:20] A Final Break! The Spencer Educational Foundation's goal to help build a talent pipeline of risk management and insurance professionals is achieved, in part, by its collaboration with risk management and insurance educators across the U.S. and Canada. [18:40] Since 1999, Spencer has awarded over $2.9 million to create more than 570 Risk Management Internships. The Internship Grants application process is now open through October 15th, 2025. [18:56] To be eligible, risk managers must be based in the U.S., Canada, or Bermuda. A link to the Internship Grants page is in this episode's show notes. You can always visit SpencerEd.org, as well. [19:10] The Spencer 2025 Funding their Future Gala will be held on Thursday, September 18th, at the Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, New York. This year's honoree is Tim Ryan, the U.S. President of Lockton, and we look forward to having Tim join us here on RIMScast very soon. [19:29] A link to the Gala is also in this episode's show notes. Buy a ticket, enjoy a great night in the city, and support the future of risk management. [19:38] Let's Return to the Conclusion of My Interview with Optimatum Solutions CEO, David Neikrug! [19:47] Behavioral and mental health are workforce concerns and reputational risks. David says the real number is productivity. If a factory has employees out for behavioral health issues, it has to replace those employees with temporary workers while still paying them. [20:43] The total cost of unmanaged behavioral health in a workforce is not just the behavioral health medical claims, pharmacy claims, or inpatient claims; it's also the lost working hours of those employees and the replacement costs of those employees. [21:15] That's a much larger number than just the surface of behavioral and mental health. Today, all health plans have strong behavioral programs. Organizations have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). [21:38] There are also point solutions adding a layer of a microbenefit on top of the program to ensure that employees are receiving the right care at the right time, in the right place.  [22:01] Organizations have the right tools. An employer will have all these programs, but they're disconnected. No one is bringing everyone to the table. [22:24] For a certain cost per employee per month, an EAP vendor will provide a given number of behavioral health visits. They will support the process within the traditional healthcare delivery system. Organizations can have point solutions for behavioral health. [23:00] Organizations can have these vendors at the table to understand what's going on at the organization. Are there RIFs? Are there acquisitions? Does the organization have seasonal issues driving stress? Is there an issue with the community where the organization is located? [23:20] Look at it holistically. Bring all these vendors to the table and discuss what's going on.  [23:30] In an unfortunate situation where employees are very stressed and have some sort of episode while at work, that's a material reputational risk, internally, and it may become an external issue. Most employers today have the vendors in place who can support them. [24:05] The steps are bringing the vendors to the table and managing them to ensure that they're aligned with the intended outcomes, and everyone's goal is aligned accordingly. [24:20] When you're discussing the organization with vendors, what about trade secrets, such as expansion and strategy? David says if you have the right vendor, they're about confidentiality. [24:46] If you're about to announce a Reduction in Force (RIF) or an acquisition, you will want your EAP in place to train managers to deal with employees who may be stressed. [26:01] David talks about AI risks. Ensure that when your employees are using any AI platform, you have thoroughly vetted the platforms you are allowing them to use to make sure that none of your proprietary or confidential information lands in public. [26:36] When using AI with confidential information, unless it's a closed system, you have a material risk of it being exposed. [27:02] AI is here for the future. It will change the face of every single profession. Justin assures that there will be no bots hosting or guesting on RIMScast! [27:35] David asks organizations, in the face of AI, What are you doing about it? How are you training and supporting your employees so that they can be part of the future, versus being a former employee who has been replaced due to AI? [27:54] In analytics, AI is simplifying delivery and crunching numbers like we've never seen before. These are incredible benefits for organizations in the future. [28:27] David thinks that you need internal tools to ensure that your employees are not divulging confidential information within public tools and that your vendors and their vendors are all aligned to apply the same rules for confidentiality. [29:12] David, you have been such a wonderful guest! I'm so glad that you were here to provide a little extra insight into the recent Optimatum Solutions paper, “A Path Not Taken: Vendor Management in Employer-Sponsored Healthcare”. A link is in this episode's show notes. [29:35] At the end of the paper is David's contact information. [29:53] Special thanks again to Optimatum Solutions CEO, David Neikrug, for joining us here on RIMScast. You can find the link to A Path Not Taken, the professional report, at OptimatumSolutions.com and in this episode's show notes. [30:11] I've also got links to RIMS coverage of vendor management in this episode's show notes. [30:17] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [30:45] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [31:03] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [31:21] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [31:37] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [31:52] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [32:04] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support!   Links: RIMS ERM Conference 2025 — Nov. 17‒18 The call for RISKWORLD 2026 submissions is now open! RIMS Canada 2025 — Sept. 14‒17 | Registration open! 10th Annual Chicagoland Risk Forum — Sept. 18 | Registration open! RIMS Western Regional — Oct 1‒3 | Bay Area, California | Registration open! RISKWORLD 2026 — Members-only early registration! Register through Sept 30! RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center Spencer Educational Foundation 2025 Funding Their Future Gala — Sept. 18, 2025, in NYC! Spencer Internship Program — Registration Open Through Oct. 15. RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management — Featuring Instructor James Lam! Next bi-weekly course begins Oct 9. RIMS Diversity Equity Inclusion Council RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy | RIMS Legislative Summit SAVE THE DATE — March 18‒19, 2026 RIMS Risk Management magazine | Contribute RIMS Now Optimatum Professional Report: “A Path Not Taken: Vendor Management in Employer-Sponsored Healthcare” OptimatumSolutions.com RIMS Webinars: RIMS.org/Webinars “Lockdown & Level Up: Turn Up Your Cyber Security Game Against Creative Cyber Criminals” | Sept. 4, 2025 | Sponsored by AXA XL “Driving Better Incident and Claims Management with Data, Technology & Strategic Collaboration” | Sept. 18 | Sponsored by Origami Risk “Parametric Insurance: Providing Financial Certainty in Uncertain Times” | Oct. 30, 2025 | Sponsored by Swiss Re “Geopolitical Whiplash — Building Resilient Global Risk Programs in an Unstable World” | Nov. 6 | Sponsored by Hub   Upcoming RIMS-CRMP Prep Virtual Workshops: RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — Sept 2‒3, 2025 | Presented by RIMS and PARIMA RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep Virtual Workshop — November 11‒12 Full RIMS-CRMP Prep Course Schedule “Intro to ERM for Senior Leaders” | Nov. 4‒5 | Instructor: Elise Farnham See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Related RIMScast Episodes: “ERM, Retail, and Risk with Jeff Strege” “Supply and Bike Chains with Emily Buckley”   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “The New Reality of Risk Engineering: From Code Compliance to Resilience” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Change Management: AI's Role in Loss Control and Property Insurance” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Demystifying Multinational Fronting Insurance Programs” | Sponsored by Zurich “Understanding Third-Party Litigation Funding” | Sponsored by Zurich “What Risk Managers Can Learn From School Shootings” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Simplifying the Challenges of OSHA Recordkeeping” | Sponsored by Medcor “Risk Management in a Changing World: A Deep Dive into AXA's 2024 Future Risks Report” | Sponsored by AXA XL “How Insurance Builds Resilience Against An Active Assailant Attack” | Sponsored by Merrill Herzog “Third-Party and Cyber Risk Management Tips” | Sponsored by Alliant “RMIS Innovation with Archer” | Sponsored by Archer “Navigating Commercial Property Risks with Captives” | Sponsored by Zurich “Breaking Down Silos: AXA XL's New Approach to Casualty Insurance” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: David Neikrug, CEO at Optimatum Solutions LLC   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

Agentic AI is transitioning from demonstration to real-world application, particularly through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which transforms traditional RMM and PSA systems into more interactive and efficient tools. This shift is expected to significantly impact ticket management, service level agreements (SLAs), and profit margins for managed service providers (MSPs). The discussion also delves into the competitive landscape, with companies like PAX 8 positioning themselves as orchestration layers in this evolving market, raising questions about whether this represents a genuine transformation or merely a rebranding effort.Rich Freeman, a prominent voice in the SMB channel, shares insights on how MSPs are adapting to these changes. He highlights that many organizations are already deploying AI solutions, which are automating tasks traditionally performed by humans, such as service dispatch and help desk operations. This evolution is not just about reducing workforce size but rather reshaping the roles within MSPs, allowing employees to focus on higher-level tasks that drive customer value and differentiation.The conversation also touches on the implications of MCP, which allows AI agents to interact with various backend systems seamlessly. This capability could lead to a future where technicians no longer need to navigate complex interfaces, as they can simply communicate with AI to manage their systems. The rapid advancements in AI technology are prompting MSPs to rethink their operational strategies and prepare for a future where automation plays a central role in service delivery.Finally, the discussion explores the concept of managed intelligence providers, emphasizing the need for MSPs to evolve from merely providing tools to delivering comprehensive solutions that leverage AI for better outcomes. As the industry shifts towards this model, the role of marketplaces and distributors will also change, requiring them to support MSPs in integrating and managing these advanced technologies. The conversation concludes with a recognition of the urgency for MSPs to adapt to these changes or risk falling behind in a competitive landscape. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

Industrial Talk is talking to Sandy Carielli, Vice President at Forrester Research about "Quantum Computing Cybersecurity". Scott Mackenzie and Sandy Carielli discuss the implications of quantum computing on cybersecurity. Quantum computers could potentially break today's public key cryptography, compromising data security. Carielli highlights the importance of transitioning to new, quantum-resistant algorithms, such as those developed by NIST. She emphasizes the urgency for organizations, especially government agencies and financial institutions, to start this migration process. Carielli also warns of the "harvest now, decrypt later" attack scenario, where data is intercepted today and decrypted later with a future quantum computer. The conversation underscores the need for proactive measures to ensure digital trust and security. Action Items [ ] Conduct a cryptographic discovery exercise to inventory the algorithms and protocols currently in use across the organization. [ ] Bring together a cross-functional team to assess the organization's exposure to quantum computing threats and start the process of migrating to post-quantum cryptography. [ ] Incorporate requirements for quantum-resistant cryptography in procurement processes and vendor SLAs. [ ] Prioritize the migration of high-value, long-term data and systems that rely on digital signatures. Outline Introduction and Purpose of Industrial Talk Podcast Scott MacKenzie thanks listeners for their support and highlights the platform's dedication to celebrating achievements and amplifying messages. Scott MacKenzie praises Sandy Carielli from Forrester Research for her contributions to quantum computing and cybersecurity. The conversation aims to explore the transformative impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity. Scott MacKenzie's Perspective on Innovation and Technology Scott MacKenzie discusses the importance of creating content and demonstrating the human side of professionals in various industries. He emphasizes the need for companies to adapt to new technologies and innovations to remain successful. Scott MacKenzie shares themes from his conversations with industrial leaders, such as the importance of education, collaboration, and innovation. He highlights the need for companies to be nimble, trusted, and passionate about solving challenges. Introduction to Sandy Carielli and Quantum Computing Scott MacKenzie introduces Sandy Carielli and her work at Forrester Research on quantum computing and cybersecurity. Sandy Carielli explains the process of selecting topics for research at Forrester, including trends, market exposure, and regulatory changes. The conversation touches on the rapid evolution of technologies and the importance of staying current. Sandy Carielli mentions the annual top 10 emerging technologies report published by Forrester. Quantum Computing and Its Impact on Cybersecurity Sandy Carielli provides an overview of quantum computing and its potential to break today's public key cryptography. She explains the concept of public key cryptography and its role in securing communications and transactions. The discussion covers the potential risks posed by nation-states developing quantum computers and the need for cybersecurity measures. Sandy Carielli highlights the efforts to develop new cryptographic algorithms resistant to quantum computers. Preparing for Quantum...

“Nobody would deploy AI without internet—so why aren't MSPs treating connectivity as mission-critical?” — Ken Totura, Massive Networks Technology Reseller News caught up with Ken Totura, Chief Channel Officer at Massive Networks, during GTIA's ChannelCon 2025 at the Opryland Resort in Nashville. In this fast-paced podcast with publisher Doug Green, Totura lays out a powerful call to action: it's time for MSPs to stop outsourcing the WAN. Totura argues that the telecom industry has fallen short—not in infrastructure but in experience. While carriers build exceptional networks, the interface with customers and partners too often breaks down. That's where Massive Networks steps in, delivering high-quality, secure wide-area connectivity with white-glove service and a partner-first approach. “We want to be part of the solution,” says Totura. “We came from the channel. We've been customers. We know what's broken—and we're fixing it.” Totura urges MSPs to stop treating internet and WAN as someone else's job. Just like MSPs manage desktops, endpoints, and LANs, they must start managing the WAN to deliver truly seamless, end-to-end IT solutions. Key points from the conversation: Massive Networks offers carrier-grade services with direct customer invoicing, support, and SLAs—leveraging 60 million fiber-lit buildings globally. Their proprietary platform simplifies global connectivity by unifying cloud, SaaS, and data center links through a single console. The "Lit Building Locator" app enables partners to instantly verify fiber availability without registration. Differentiator: Unlike aggregators, Massive injects its own services into the last mile—ensuring performance, support, and control remain in-house. Totura compares telecom's moment to the rise of AI. Just as MSPs are now integrating AI into offerings, they must similarly integrate connectivity—because every app, service, and solution depends on it. “Cheapest isn't always the least expensive,” says Totura. “If you're not talking about quality internet and WAN, you're doing your customers a disservice.” To learn more, visit https://www.massivenetworks.com.

ZITADEL is pioneering the next generation of identity infrastructure, providing a developer-first platform that handles everything from basic authentication to complex multi-tenant B2B scenarios. With $11.5 million in funding and a unique open-source approach, ZITADEL has positioned itself as the "GitLab for identity" - offering both self-hosted and SaaS deployment options while maintaining flexibility through comprehensive APIs. In a recent episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Florian Forster, CEO and Co-Founder of ZITADEL, who recently relocated from Switzerland to the Bay Area to accelerate the company's go-to-market efforts and tap into the massive US opportunity. Topics Discussed: ZITADEL's comprehensive identity platform covering authentication, authorization, and multi-tenant scenarios The company's innovative dual-licensing approach combining AGPL open source with commercial offerings Florian's strategic decision to relocate his entire family from Switzerland to the Bay Area The evolution from per-user pricing to capability-based pricing models Building a global team across three regions: Europe for engineering, US for go-to-market, and Argentina for customer success Marketing strategy focused 80/20 on developers versus buyers Cultural differences between European and American go-to-market approaches Future vision for AI risk mitigation and behavioral analytics in identity management GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Embrace "cash or code" open source strategy: Florian introduced the concept of "cash or code" - users either pay for commercial features or contribute meaningfully to the open source project. ZITADEL's shift from Apache to AGPL licensing ensures that free users contribute back to the community while commercial customers get enterprise features and SLAs. This dual-licensing approach creates sustainable economics while building a strong community foundation. Rethink pricing to align with customer value creation: ZITADEL is moving away from per-user pricing because, as Florian explains, "we are the system that makes users useful. So if we hinder our customers on creating users in the first place, it kind of defeats the whole idea." Instead, they're shifting to capability-based pricing where customers pay for specific features like compliance notifications rather than user seats. This removes friction from customer growth and better aligns pricing with actual value delivered. Focus marketing efforts on developers, not just buyers: ZITADEL discovered that an 80/20 split between developer-focused and buyer-focused marketing works best. Florian notes that "targeting the developer ultimately leads to us being in the debate when somebody procures a system like ours." Developers do the initial evaluation and recommendation, so winning them over is crucial for getting into procurement discussions with buyers. Leverage geographic arbitrage strategically: ZITADEL operates across three regions - Europe for core engineering (quality engineers at $100-250K vs $250-500K in Bay Area), US for go-to-market, and Argentina for customer success and sales engineering. This approach optimizes for both cost efficiency and timezone coverage while maintaining quality across all functions. Adapt messaging for cultural differences: Moving from Switzerland to the US taught Florian that "in US marketing, things get overinflated quite severely, but the buyer knows that and automatically deducts some of it." Europeans tend to under-market solid products, while US buyers expect and discount for marketing inflation. B2B founders must calibrate their messaging appropriately for different markets and buyer expectations.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

Send us a textNew Matter host Emily Yamasaki, PhD, speaks with Vasumitra “Vasu” Rao, MS, PhD candidate–recipient of the 2025 SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant–about his innovative research at the Jensen Lab (University of Michigan).Vasu's work focuses on AI-driven characterization of non-model oral bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus mutans), aiming to predict microbial growth dynamics and biofilm formation using neural ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and automated high-throughput experiments. His research bridges gaps in microbiology by studying under-explored organisms beyond traditional models, such as E. coli. Potential applications include understanding cavity formation, drug discovery, and pharmacodynamics modeling.He shares his unconventional path into AI/microbiology (inspired by chess and reinforcement learning), and discusses how the SLAS grant supports his exploratory research.About the SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant:This SLAS grant facilitates educational opportunities for outstanding students pursuing graduate degrees related to life sciences R&D. This program helps to realize a fundamental tenet of SLAS's mission: to advance the fields of laboratory science and technology by nurturing the next generation of professional scientists. SLAS will award one grant (up to $50,000) per year, for a maximum of two years, to qualified educational institutions on behalf of deserving students enrolled in a graduate program at that institution.2026 application submissions are now being accepted!Learn MoreStay connected with SLASOnline at www.slas.orgFacebookTwitter @SLAS_OrgLinkedInInstagram @slas_orgYouTubeAbout SLASSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. For more information about SLAS, visit www.slas.org.SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition February 7-11, 2026 Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition 19-21 May 2026 Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar

"You may outsource your M&R, but you can't outsource your fleet management. That has to be internal." – Marc CantonThe trio unpacks real-life horror stories, including unnecessary tire replacements, duplicate battery charges, and a $7,000 bill for work that should've cost $1,000. They hammer home the point that outsourcing maintenance is fine—but abdicating responsibility isn't.Whether you're running 100 units or 4,000, this episode is a masterclass in oversight, system integration, and having the guts to ask, “Did you actually do that repair?”Key Takeaways:Outsourcing your M&R is not outsourcing your responsibility.Always audit invoices—even small transactions add up.Use your own fleet maintenance management system—don't rely on the vendor's software.Write clear, performance-based SLAs with incentives and penalties.A fleet maintenance system should flag warranty work and repeat repairs.Empower your team (or hire pros) to spot check the work physically on vehicles.Your FMC's priority is their bottom line—not your fleet longevity.Marc Canton30-year fleet veteran, currently leading product and consulting at RTA. Known for calling out industry fluff with sharp insight and sharper humor.Steve SaltzgiverFleet Whisperer and consulting legend. Former director of fleets for Coca-Cola and multiple government entities. Brings unmatched operational wisdom to every conversation.Scott RoodFleet expert, wrench-turner-turned-strategist, and master of sniffing out invoice BS. Trusted industry voice and audit specialist.

Send us a textIn this episode, we look at a forward-thinking program that brought undergraduate and graduate students from Mexican universities to the SLAS2025 International Conference & Exhibition in San Diego. Host Emily Yamasaki, PhD is joined by:Cris Herrera Ramirez, a biotech engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran, who spearheaded the program to bridge the gap between Mexican academia and global research.Isabella Alvarez Kennedy, an undergraduate student in pharmaceutical chemistry from Mexico, shares her transformative experience at the conference.Key Learning Points:Breaking Barriers: Cris highlights the lack of resources and international exposure for Mexican STEM students, despite their top-tier education. His initiative with SLAS aims to provide mentorship, networking and career clarity.Eye-Opening Experience: Isabella describes how attending SLAS expanded her view of scientific careers, from witnessing cutting-edge lab automation to understanding the collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of biotech.Global Collaboration: Both guests emphasize the value of cross-border networking in solving complex research challenges and fostering innovation.Early-Career Impact: The episode highlights why undergraduate students benefit significantly from conferences—discovering their passions, building connections and gaining direction before committing to a career path.Stay connected with SLAS:www.slas.orgFacebookXLinkedInInstagramYouTubeAbout SLASSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and globalSLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition February 7-11, 2026 Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition 19-21 May 2026 Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar

No episódio 175 do Kubicast, recebemos o especialista Luriel Santana para um duelo de ideias entre DevOps e Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). Entre cafés e risadas, mergulhamos em discussões sobre cultura organizacional, automação de infraestrutura, métricas de confiabilidade e práticas de campo que vão desde data centers em Angola até pipelines modernos em nuvem.1. O Panorama: DevOps e SRE no MercadoDesde seu surgimento, o movimento DevOps trouxe um sopro de velocidade e integração entre equipes de desenvolvimento e operações. Já o SRE, idealizado pelo Google, elevou o patamar ao introduzir métricas claras (SLIs, SLOs e SLAs) e processos de gestão de erros. Nesta batalha, não há um “vencedor único”: DevOps acelera a entrega; SRE garante que ela aconteça sem interrupções.2. Lições de Campo em AngolaLuriel compartilhou conosco suas aventuras em data centers físicos, rodando Linux e configurando roteadores Cisco numa das regiões mais desafiadoras do continente africano. A mensagem foi clara: sem automação mínima, manter servidores operando em condições extremas vira gargalo. Foi ali que aprendemos a importância de Infrastructure as Code e do versionamento de configurações.3. Cultura vs FerramentalFrequentemente, equipes se apaixonam por ferramentas e esquecem a cultura. Discutimos como pipelines de CI/CD, contêineres e orquestração Kubernetes só fazem sentido quando há um mindset de colaboração e responsabilidade compartilhada. Do contrário, viram apenas mais uma “caixinha de truques” sem resultados consistentes.4. Métricas de Confiabilidade: SLOs e SLIs na PráticaA gente explorou exemplos de SLOs para aplicações críticas e viu que definir limites aceitáveis de erro é tanto arte quanto ciência. Falamos dos trade‑offs entre velocidade e estabilidade, e de como o roteamento de incidentes pode se apoiar em dashboards bem configurados — sem esquecer dos alertas que evitam alert fatigue.5. Pandemia e Adoção AceleradaA crise global empurrou muitas empresas para a nuvem e para práticas de automação. Discutimos como o trabalho remoto reforçou a necessidade de automação e infraestrutura resiliente, e refletimos sobre cases de pipelines que nasceram em questão de dias para suportar picos inesperados.Conclusão e Próximos PassosSaímos deste episódio com uma certeza: DevOps e SRE não são antagonistas, mas sim parceiros na jornada de entregar software com velocidade e confiabilidade. Se você está começando, comece definindo seus SLIs. Para os veteranos, a dica é revisitar processos e investir em cultura.Links e Recomendações:Conecte-se com Luriel Santana no LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lurielsantana/João Brito - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juniorjbnAssista ao FilmeTEArapia - https://youtu.be/M4QFmW_HZh0?si=HIXBDWZJ8yPbpflMSaiba mais sobre o DevOps Days Feira de Santana: https://www.devopsdays.org/events/2025-feira-de-santana/Confira o Canal Pro Evolua: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProEvoluaDescubra o Projeto Zero CVE (Getup): https://getup.io/zerocveParticipe de nosso programa de acesso antecipado e tenha um ambiente mais seguro em instantes! https://getup.io/zerocve

You can build sleek software—but if the charger fails, the user blames you. Casper Rasmussen, CEO of Monta, knows this all too well. In this episode, he shares how he built a platform that's more than “EV charging software”—it's a full-stack execution engine, now powering over 200,000 chargers. We explore how he scaled through regulatory complexity, turned EV pain points into product strategy, and why being a startup CEO means staying on the floor, not in the boardroom. A must-listen for founders navigating tech-infrastructure intersections, growing with resilience, and staying obsessed with execution over optics.  Tune in for real-world insights on scaling through complexity and fragmentation--- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on…YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726…to listen to the latest episodes!04:01 – Becoming CEO: stepping up from CTO08:55 – Execution first: what energizes a startup CEO11:19 – Core mission: electrify everything—EV to home & grid14:40 – Platform advantage: software, wallets & regulation20:38 – Support and SLAs: why service is product21:05 – Scaling milestone: 200k charge points & growth metrics24:06 – Market dynamics: public, private & home charging breakdown33:00 – Financial playbook: growth funding vs. profitability38:59 – Team & structure: staying nimble in scale-up34:48 – AI integration: reshaping roles and operationsUseful links: Monta's website:  https://www.monta.comMonta's  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montaapp/Casper Rasmussen Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casper-h-rasmussen-63b13922/overlay/contact-info/Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/Simon Leich's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

LLMs are reshaping the future of data and AI—and ignoring them might just be career malpractice. Yoni Michael and Kostas Pardalis unpack what's breaking, what's emerging, and why inference is becoming the new heartbeat of the data pipeline.// BioKostas PardalisKostas is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur with a passion for building products and companies in the data space. He's currently the co-founder of Typedef. Before that, he worked closely with the creators of Trino at Starburst Data on some exciting projects. Earlier in his career, he was part of the leadership team at Rudderstack, helping the company grow from zero to a successful Series B in under two years. He also founded Blendo in 2014, one of the first cloud-based ELT solutions.Yoni MichaelYoni is the Co-Founder of typedef, a serverless data platform purpose-built to help teams process unstructured text and run LLM inference pipelines at scale. With a deep background in data infrastructure, Yoni has spent over a decade building systems at the intersection of data and AI — including leading infrastructure at Tecton and engineering teams at Salesforce.Yoni is passionate about rethinking how teams extract insight from massive troves of text, transcripts, and documents — and believes the future of analytics depends on bridging traditional data pipelines with modern AI workflows. At Typedef, he's working to make that future accessible to every team, without the complexity of managing infrastructure.// Related LinksWebsite: https://www.typedef.aihttps://techontherocks.showhttps://www.cpard.xyz~~~~~~~~ ✌️Connect With Us ✌️ ~~~~~~~Catch all episodes, blogs, newsletters, and more: https://go.mlops.community/TYExploreMLOps Swag/Merch: [https://shop.mlops.community/]Connect with Demetrios on LinkedIn: /dpbrinkmConnect with Kostas on LinkedIn: /kostaspardalis/Connect with Yoni on LinkedIn: /yonimichael/Timestamps:[00:00] Breaking Tools, Evolving Data Workloads[06:35] Building Truly Great Data Teams[10:49] Making Data Platforms Actually Useful[18:54] Scaling AI with Native Integration[24:04] Empowering Employees to Build Agents[28:17] Rise of the AI Sherpa[36:09] Real AI Infrastructure Pain Points[38:05] Fixing Gaps Between Data, AI[46:04] Smarter Decisions Through Better Data[50:18] LLMs as Human-Machine Interfaces[53:40] Why Summarization Still Falls Short[01:01:15] Smarter Chunking, Fixing Text Issues[01:09:08] Evaluating AI with Canary Pipelines[01:11:46] Finding Use Cases That Matter[01:17:38] Cutting Costs, Keeping AI Quality[01:25:15] Aligning MLOps to Business Outcomes[01:29:44] Communities Thrive on Cross-Pollination[01:34:56] Evaluation Tools Quietly Consolidating

Neste episódio selvagem do Kubicast, nos embrenhamos na mata fechada dos sistemas distribuídos ao lado de Flávio Mendes, criador do Trilhainfo. De uma floresta irlandesa direto para sua timeline, o Flávio trouxe um papo afiado sobre arquitetura de sistemas, desafios reais e boas práticas para não cair nas armadilhas do overengineering.Conversamos sobre como evoluir de um monolito para microsserviços sem perder o fôlego, quais as pegadinhas comuns ao lidar com sistemas distribuídos em produção, e como manter a sanidade num ambiente crítico com SLAs apertados. Tudo com bom humor, exemplos práticos e aquele clima descontraído que você já conhece.Se você trabalha com arquitetura, cloud, engenharia ou está pensando em escalar seu sistema, esse papo é para você.Links Importantes:- Flávio Mendes- TrilhaInfo - João Brito- Assista ao FilmeTEArapiaParticipe de nosso programa de acesso antecipado e tenha um ambiente mais seguro em instantes!https://getup.io/zerocveO Kubicast é uma produção da Getup, empresa especialista em Kubernetes e projetos open source para Kubernetes. Os episódios do podcast estão nas principais plataformas de áudio digital e no YouTube.com/@getupcloud.

Send us a textFrom Elephant Butts to Ethical AI — Duncan Curtis on De-Risking GenAI at SamaEpisode intro Duncan Curtis, SVP for GenAI & AI Product + Technology at Sama, has shipped everything from autonomous-vehicle platforms at Zoox to game-changing data products at Google. Today he leads a 160-person team that's reinventing how training data is curated, labeled, and audited so enterprises can ship production-ready GenAI—without the lurking model risk. Sama's newest release, Sama Automate, is already cutting annotation time by 40 percent while keeping quality above SLAs, and Duncan says they're “aiming for a 10× improvement by 2025.” (aiuserconference.com, sama.com)If you want the inside track on AI ROI, ethical guardrails, and why A's hire A's (but B's hire C's!), lean in—this one's for you. (And yes, we do get to elephant butts.)Timestamped roadmap00:46 Meet Duncan Curtis03:51 The Duncan Brand05:52 Making Time for Yourself08:47 Autonomous Cars — 9× Safer12:21 Favorite Jobs13:24 Inside Sama14:39 Data & LLM Training16:04 De-Risking Models19:08 Ethical AI22:43 Stopping Hallucinations27:18 Data Labeling Deep-Dive31:56 Production-Ready GenAI33:44 AGI Horizons35:34 What Makes Sama Different36:31 Calculating AI ROI38:50 State of the LLMs44:48 Elephant Butts & Closing ThoughtsQuick linksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-curtis/Sama: https://www.sama.com/Latest blog: “Sama Introduces New Data Automation Platform” (sama.com)Hear more: Duncan on “Human Guardrails in Generative AI” (DataCamp podcast) (datacamp.com)Hashtags#MakingDataSimple #AIProduct #GenAI #DataLabeling #EthicalAI #AIROI #AutonomousVehicles #PodcastWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a textFrom Elephant Butts to Ethical AI — Duncan Curtis on De-Risking GenAI at SamaEpisode intro Duncan Curtis, SVP for GenAI & AI Product + Technology at Sama, has shipped everything from autonomous-vehicle platforms at Zoox to game-changing data products at Google. Today he leads a 160-person team that's reinventing how training data is curated, labeled, and audited so enterprises can ship production-ready GenAI—without the lurking model risk. Sama's newest release, Sama Automate, is already cutting annotation time by 40 percent while keeping quality above SLAs, and Duncan says they're “aiming for a 10× improvement by 2025.” (aiuserconference.com, sama.com)If you want the inside track on AI ROI, ethical guardrails, and why A's hire A's (but B's hire C's!), lean in—this one's for you. (And yes, we do get to elephant butts.)Timestamped roadmap00:46 Meet Duncan Curtis03:51 The Duncan Brand05:52 Making Time for Yourself08:47 Autonomous Cars — 9× Safer12:21 Favorite Jobs13:24 Inside Sama14:39 Data & LLM Training16:04 De-Risking Models19:08 Ethical AI22:43 Stopping Hallucinations27:18 Data Labeling Deep-Dive31:56 Production-Ready GenAI33:44 AGI Horizons35:34 What Makes Sama Different36:31 Calculating AI ROI38:50 State of the LLMs44:48 Elephant Butts & Closing ThoughtsQuick linksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-curtis/Sama: https://www.sama.com/Latest blog: “Sama Introduces New Data Automation Platform” (sama.com)Hear more: Duncan on “Human Guardrails in Generative AI” (DataCamp podcast) (datacamp.com)Hashtags#MakingDataSimple #AIProduct #GenAI #DataLabeling #EthicalAI #AIROI #AutonomousVehicles #PodcastWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

In Episode 177 of The Fleet Success Show, Marc Canton and Steve Saltzgiver unload a truth-packed conversation on the painful realities of outsourcing fleet maintenance. From horror stories about seven visits for the same repair to $3,500 upsell attempts during a routine oil change, this episode explores the downside of putting your fleet's fate in the hands of external vendors — especially without tight service-level agreements (SLAs) in place.Marc vents his real-world frustrations as a fleet leader turned vehicle caretaker for his entire family. Steve, bringing decades of fleet management and consulting experience, breaks down how fleets can build smarter, more accountable outsourcing relationships. Together, they unpack when outsourcing makes sense, how to hold vendors accountable, and why an in-house shop might still be your best line of defense against inefficiency, comebacks, and ballooning costs. 

A historic gap between consumer sentiment and economic data is raising concerns about future tech spending. Despite positive economic indicators, such as a steady unemployment rate and a slight increase in the Consumer Price Index, consumer confidence is faltering, as evidenced by a significant drop in the Consumer Sentiment Index. Analysts from Bank of America have noted that this disconnect, the widest on record, suggests that businesses, particularly in sectors sensitive to consumer demand, may become more risk-averse in their tech investments. This could lead to longer sales cycles and a shift in budget approvals for tech solutions. The delivery of cloud services is evolving, with a focus on outcomes rather than just uptime. A recent survey by the International Data Corporation emphasizes that managed service providers (MSPs) must prioritize customer success and align their services with clients' business objectives. As cloud technology becomes more integral to business transformations, MSPs are encouraged to move beyond traditional service level agreements (SLAs) and adopt a value-oriented approach. This shift is crucial to avoid commoditization and maintain profitability in a competitive market. TD Cinex has introduced a new Partner Loyalty Program aimed at strengthening relationships with business partners through rewards similar to consumer loyalty programs. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the industry, where partners increasingly value loyalty incentives over traditional vendor benefits. However, there is skepticism regarding the effectiveness of such programs, as some partners argue that consistent pricing and margin protection are more critical than loyalty perks. The challenge for vendors and distributors will be to ensure that these programs deliver tangible value rather than merely serving as marketing optics. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has retracted a controversial AI research paper that claimed artificial intelligence enhances productivity in research settings. The paper, which suggested that AI tools led to increased discoveries but decreased job satisfaction among researchers, faced scrutiny from both economists and computer scientists. MIT's decision to withdraw the paper signals a growing skepticism towards AI productivity claims, indicating that the market will demand more verifiable and transparent evidence before accepting AI as a driver of innovation. This development is seen as a positive step towards ensuring the integrity of research in the field of artificial intelligence.  Four things to know today  00:00 Vibes vs. Reality: Sentiment-Economy Gap Widens, Signaling Risk for Tech and Retail Spending04:35 IDC Survey Urges MSPs to Align Cloud Services with Business Outcomes, Not Just SLAs06:00 Perks or Just Packaging? TD SYNNEX Adds to Loyalty Trend with New Partner Program08:19 Flawed AI Research Spurs MIT Retraction, Reflecting Broader Demand for Verifiable Innovation Claims  This is the Business of Tech.      Supported by:  https://getnerdio.com/nerdio-manager-for-msp/ All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

When a cybersecurity CEO strolls into a hospital and decides to play malware magician with a couple of unlocked computers, you've got yourself a plot twist worthy of a Netflix docuseries. In this episode, we dive headfirst into bizarre breaches, finger-pointing fiascos, and the kind of contractual confusion that'll make you want to reread your SLAs before breakfast. It's a rollercoaster of responsibility, reputation, and really bad behavior. But at the heart of it all is the million-dollar question: who's actually responsible when it all goes sideways? More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/509

If budget weren't an issue, what AI tool would you implement first in your business?What's stopping your team from going all-in on AI for IT?Are XLAs the new gold standard for service performance?What's your take on Experience-Level Agreements (XLAs)? Are they the future of customer satisfaction?Do you trust AI to deflect tickets and reduce support workload?Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Today we're diving into how AI is rewriting the rules of IT support—especially for small and mid-sized businesses. From outdated SLAs to dynamic, experience-driven XLAs, this episode breaks down how AI-powered ITSM is helping companies move from reactive service models to proactive, personalized support systems Join our expert panelists, Joshua Lawrence, IT Service Manager – United Trust Bank, Ravi Tharisayi, Senior Director, PMM - Freshworks, and Shivam Bhandary Solution Engineer – Freshworks. to discover how automation can enhance empathy, how lean IT teams can scale smarter (not harder), and why investing in AI tools today is essential for delivering better employee and customer experiences tomorrow.If you're a tech-savvy entrepreneur, IT strategist, or business leader looking to future-proof your operations— this episode is packed with practical insights on how AI is reshaping IT support through automation, empathy, and experience-first service—you don't want to miss it!

In this brutally honest episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Bobby Thomas, CEO of Extreme Services, to unpack the evolving challenges of working with Third Party Administrators (TPAs) in 2025. From delayed payments to unrealistic SLAs and inconsistent claim volume, this episode dives deep into the operational and financial landmines that restoration contractors face when tied too tightly to TPA programs.Bobby brings unfiltered insights, real-world horror stories, and proven strategies for navigating today's increasingly rigid and centralized TPA landscape. Whether you're struggling with cash flow, compliance fatigue, or pipeline instability, this conversation will arm you with the clarity and tactics needed to regain control of your business.What You'll Learn:Why TPA payment delays are worse than ever—and what to do about itHow to build systems that meet rigid SLAs without burning out your teamThe dangerous downside of claim volume inconsistencyStrategies to reduce TPA dependency and diversify your lead flowBobby's rapid-fire take on myths, tools, and whether he'd build with TPAs againIf you're working with TPAs—or considering it—this is required listening.If you're interested in learning how Water Restoration Marketing can help you overcome the challenges discussed in this episode and get more water jobs, book a free strategy session with our team today!https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

Why do short clear SLAs improve your services, customer satisfaction, and life? How do you write and use an effective SLA?

Briana Birkholz and Joe Lynch discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. Briana is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce, the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. About Briana Birkholz Briana Birkholz is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce. With a passion for overcoming supply chain and logistics challenges, Briana is committed to addressing the distinct needs of customers through comprehensive, full-service solutions. Briana's extensive experience in driving innovation, strategic development and execution consistently delivers outstanding results for third-party logistics companies. About SPS Commerce SPS Commerce is the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners across the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all stakeholders in the retail ecosystem. The company enables data-driven partnerships through innovative cloud-based technology, customer-centric service, and a team of accessible industry experts—allowing clients to focus on their core business. With over 45,000 recurring revenue customers spanning retail, grocery, distribution, supply, manufacturing, and logistics, SPS Commerce powers a vast and growing global retail network. Key Takeaways: Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain Briana Birkholz and Joe Lynch discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. The hidden enemies include the following: Inconsistent Time to Revenue: The Silent Growth Killer - Lengthy onboarding processes erode cash flow and strain customer relationships, highlighting evolving customer expectations. SPS Commerce's "plug-and-play" solutions drastically reduce onboarding time from months to days. The Cost of Chaos: Inconsistent Order Intake - Managing orders through disparate channels (phone, email, portals, PDFs) breeds errors and jeopardizes SLAs due to human error. SPS Commerce standardizes order formats for improved efficiency and control. Decoding Retailer Complexity: Unravel the challenges of adhering to intricate retailer requirements (packing slips, labels, routing guides, ASN timing) and the costly consequences of non-compliance (chargebacks, damaged relationships, lost shelf space). SPS Commerce automates document generation and validation to ensure first-time compliance. SPS Commerce is the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. SPS Commerce brings the following advantages: Industry Leader in Cloud-Based EDI Solutions: SPS Commerce specializes in cloud-based supply chain management, helping retailers, suppliers, and logistics providers automate and streamline their operations through advanced EDI and data analytics tools. Demonstrated Consistent Growth as a High-Performing Public Company: SPS Commerce has a long and consistent track record of growth, primarily organic, underscoring its position as a strong performer on NASDAQ (ticker: SPSC). Global Presence with Local Support: Headquartered in Minneapolis, SPS has expanded internationally with offices in major cities like Toronto, Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, supporting a worldwide customer base with localized service. Growth via Smart Acquisitions: Strategic buys like Data Masons, InterTrade, and SupplyPike have allowed SPS to broaden its tech stack and deepen its value across the retail supply chain ecosystem. Recognized for Culture and Innovation: Known for its positive workplace environment, SPS was ranked the best large workplace in Minnesota in 2015 and continues to invest in talent and innovation to drive forward-thinking supply chain solutions. Learn More About Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain Briana Birkholz | Linkedin SPS Commerce | Linkedin SPS Commerce Woods Distribution Case Study Arcadia Cold Storage & Logistics Case Study The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube  

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(0:00) Intro(1:15) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:02) Start of interview(2:45) Emily's origin story(8:27) Her start in venture capital through DFJ with Tim Draper in 2000.(11:56) About the history and evolution of VC(13:42) Investing thesis (founding principle) at her firm Threshold Ventures.(19:21) The venture mechanics of Threshold Ventures. "One of our SLAs is we'd like to be the founder's first call."(21:30) On navigating boardroom dynamics in venture-backed boards. "Building trust is critical" (26:20) On dealing with conflicts of interests at the board level in the VC context. "Decisions with an investors' hat vs board member hat"(31:35) Mention of the VC-Backed Board Academy in SF on May 14, 2025, and NYC on Oct 28, 2025.(32:31) The role of independent directors in VC-backed companies. "I love bringing in independent directors early."(38:09) On board observers. "I always try to think about [board roles] in a two-year cycle"(42:44) The state of diversity in VC. Discussion about All Raise (founded in 2018).(48:12) Navigating the AI Landscape "it's a different world"(55:10) Books that have greatly influenced her life:The Soul in the Game by Vitaliy Katsenelson (2022)(55:43) Her mentors: Heidi Roizen (E6, E108 and E116)(57:07) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by. "Happiness = Reality - Expectation"(57:56) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that she loves. (58:31) The living person she most admires.Emily Melton is a co-founder of Threshold Ventures. She is looking for entrepreneurs who are genuinely excited about being agents of change and have an almost irrational drive to make things better. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS: Signal Prioritization: Categorize signals (e.g., high-intent, time-based) with different response SLAs to ensure timely outreach. Call Blitz Culture: Multiple weekly call blitzes with a virtual sales floor create a high-energy, team-building cold calling environment. Effective Personalization: Don't rely on signals alone; combine them with company insights to craft personalized, compelling outreach. 80/20 Email Framework: Provide reps with an 80% completed template (signal, company insight, ideal state, light CTA), letting them personalize the final 20%. FLORIN'S PATH TO PRESIDENTS CLUB: Head of Sales Development @ Common Room Director of Sales @ Barley Senior Manager, Sales Development @ Loopio Manager, Sales Development @ Loopio RESOURCES DISCUSSED: Join our weekly newsletter Things you can steal