The Bridgecast with Scott Kinka

Latest Episodes:

The Tech Revolution with PanTerra’s Artie Chang Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Artie Chang, President and CEO of PanTerra Networks. We’re talking about running blindly into the tech revolution while still serving the needs of the people who aren't maybe so revolutionary.

PanTerra is a business-class Unified Cloud Service Provider, seamlessly delivering unified communications, team collaboration, call center, file sync & share, and business analytics through Streams, its secure, all-in-one business communications cloud solution. By offering a fully customizable, unified UCaaS and CPaaS, HIPAA/HITECH secure, multi-service cloud solution, PanTerra can significantly reduce costs, simplify IT administration, increase security, and improve employee productivity.

During our conversation, we discussed coexisting with the “big guys,” remaining committed to your own niche innovation, how hybrid work is emerging as a tool in the workforce ecosystem (not just a reaction to the pandemic), and so much more about the tech revolution that shows no signs of stopping.

Topics covered in this episode:

● How the communications landscape changed due to the pandemic; collaboration became a central feature.

● Why voice used to be the main communication feature, now collaboration tools take precedence.

● Why Artie sees a settling-out period post-revolution, with businesses evaluating solutions more thoughtfully.

● How hybrid work environments can enhance productivity and work-life balance for employees.

● Why there’s a focus on measuring productivity and work-life balance in hybrid work.

● AI's role in productivity and potential challenges.

● Why government involvement in regulating AI raises mixed feelings.

● Panterra Networks' approach to AI: focus on enhancing customer Productivity and ease of use.

● Recent changes and developments in Panterra's offerings.

● Video conferencing innovation and complexity and why Panterra's focused on simplifying video conferencing solutions for mid-market customers.

● Panterra’s emphasis on secure and compliant cloud phone systems.

● AI's robust implementation and the potential chaos due to lack of guardrails.

Promoting work-life balance to prevent burnout at Panterra.

ABOUT ARTIE CHANG

Arthur Chang is a distinguished leader with an extensive background spanning over two decades in the hi-tech industry. As the CEO of PanTerra, his visionary leadership and strategic insights have been pivotal to the company's trajectory.

Drawing on his experience as a serial entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, Arthur Chang has been an integral part of the success stories of numerous companies. His journey includes senior executive roles that have propelled growth and innovation. Before joining PanTerra Networks, Mr. Chang held the position of CEO at Cradle Technologies, where he led a multi-core multimedia DSP company to new heights. Prior to that, he held the CEO position at SoloPoint Communications, a prominent provider of telecommunications equipment to major industry players. During his tenure, Mr. Chang orchestrated the company's expansion, culminating in a successful IPO.

With a foundation that includes executive management roles in diverse technology sectors such as telecommunications, storage, server, and remote access markets, Mr. Chang brings a holistic understanding of the industry. His career began at Bell Laboratories in Naperville, IL, where he laid the groundwork for his remarkable journey. Throughout his professional journey, he has collaborated closely with Silicon Valley venture capitalists, contributing as a consultant and analyst.

Arthur Chang's expertise extends beyond leadership; he excels in areas such as talent acquisition, corporate strategy, and capital raising. With a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Executive MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Mr. Chang possesses a formidable educational foundation.

Mr. Chang's influence on corporate vision and product strategy is unparalleled, with a proven ability to guide businesses toward financial success. His prowess at fostering growth is complemented by his exceptional talent for recruiting top-tier executives and motivating them to excel. A seasoned entrepreneur well-versed in the startup ecosystem, Mr. Chang's acumen is complemented by his experience in working closely with boards and investors.

CONTACT ARTIE

Web. https://www.panterranetworks.com/

FB. https://www.facebook.com/PanTerraNetworks/

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/panterra-networks/

Twitter. http://twitter.com/panterranetwork

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Information Security Strategy with Ntirety’s Josh Henderson Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Josh Henderson, Chief Technology Officer at Ntirety. We’re talking about information security strategy and so much more.

Managing security and compliance is a strategic, economic imperative directly impacting business outcomes. Ntirety is the only company that embeds compliant security throughout their clients’ IT and company culture. With over 25 years of experience and deep security expertise, their 24x7x365 security operations centers (SOCs) simplify risk management programs with a comprehensive protection, recovery, and assurance suite of services.

During our conversation, we discussed information security strategy and its significance for Ntirety, the evolution of security, industry changes, and technology solutions' complexity, how the pandemic accelerated the attention on security due to increased hacker activity, and other topics.

Topics covered in this episode:

● An overview of Ntirety's history, formed from companies like Hosting.com and Hostway.

● The importance of experienced people in the company who contribute to comprehensive solutions.

● The interconnectedness of security, infrastructure, and data protection.

● The challenges posed by the disappearance of traditional workplace boundaries due to factors like remote work and COVID-19.

● The significance of security's prominence in IT leaders' minds due to the pandemic.

● Why the traditional focus on the number of office locations for security conversations has evolved.

● The focus now shifts to end users and their locations for security discussions.

● The challenge of combining various security products and services.

● The importance of APIs and consistent data transfer for a comprehensive security solution.

● The challenges and complexity of compliance and security.

● The layout of security products in the industry and the need for a comprehensive approach.

● Challenges faced by businesses in implementing a complete defense strategy and the percentage of businesses lacking in certain areas.

● Importance of integrating security products and correlating alarms for effective threat detection and utilizing both human expertise and AI for threat detection and analysis.

● The expansion of security footprint due to IoT devices and the challenge of managing their security.

● Predictions for the next 18 to 24 months involving AI becoming more prevalent in various areas.

ABOUT JOSH HENDERSON

Josh Henderson, Ntirety’s CTO, joined the company in 2021 with over 20 years of experience in large-scale cloud and hosted Infrastructure, managed IT services, network, software development and consulting.

Prior to joining Ntirety, he served as CTO and COO for McLane Intelligent Solutions, CTO of Colo and Cloud at Zayo Group, and CTO for Clearview International. His experience across these roles includes high level IT strategy, technology lifecycle management, P&L management, operations, sales and full product life-cycle management in businesses ranging from startup to $2B+ in revenue.

Josh is an Alumni of Baylor University and today he resides in Austin, Texas.

CONTACT JOSH

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-henderson-8b76572b/

Web. https://www.ntirety.com/company/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

End User Computing with Evolve IP’s Kevin Sullivan Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by my friend Kevin Sullivan, Director of Solutions Engineering at Evolve IP. We’re questioning how we do end user computing and more.

Evolve IP partners with IT professionals to bring together their essential productivity and communication tools into a single, secure cloud-based solution, ﬁne-tuned for the hybrid workforce and delivered as a service. By integrating these disconnected systems and ﬁlling in the gaps, they improve both productivity and security, increasing uptime to make the future of work better for everyone.

During our conversation, we’re rethinking end user computing, reconsidering the disjointed structure of the security vendors and products IT leaders are leveraging to secure the widest part of their footprint, the importance of recovery and its unsexy but crucial role in the technology landscape, and so much more.

Topics covered in this episode:

● Why Evolve IP's superpower lies in the realm of the hybrid workforce.

● How Evolve IP emphasizes the ability to optimize solutions regardless of the underlying platform, promoting platform agnosticism.

● Why the pandemic fundamentally changed work dynamics and industry norms, leading to a continued evolution of strategies.

● How the pandemic caused a shift in technology adoption, especially in DaaS and VDI.

● Why the ongoing effects of the pandemic have led to uncertainty and fluidity in strategic planning.

● Why differentiating data sets based on their importance to the business operations is key.

● Why businesses should be skeptical of providers who try to dictate their recovery priorities.

● Why the role of solution providers is to present the "art of the possible" rather than prescribing specific solutions.

● The relationship between compliance and recovery.

● How the impact of the event and its consequences define the extent of the disaster in recovery scenarios.

● Why recovery plans need to extend beyond server workloads to consider employee work capabilities, such as communications, endpoints, and user computing.

● How the hybridization of the workforce due to remote work offers a built-in business continuity plan for organizations.

● How DaaS was pivotal in maintaining access to secure applications during challenges like the pandemic.

● The significance of optimizing real-time audio and video in remote work scenarios.

● Predictions for the future.

ABOUT KEVIN SULLIVAN

Over the course of my journey in corporate IT and cloud services that started all the way back in 2006, the most important thing that I have learned is that context drives progress. Whether it comes to understanding an organization's needs, ensuring client satisfaction, designing a solution, implementing services, or the myriad of other IT initiatives we undertake on a regular basis, the WHY matters just as much as the WHAT and HOW (if not more-so). This mentality has helped me to serve as a trusted advisor to help both clients as well as partners throughout their digital transformation journeys as they embrace new technology to address their ever-evolving needs.
While technical in nature, I am a huge proponent of the concept of 'Outcome Oriented IT.' Putting the nuances of the technical solutions aside, what are the business challenges, regulatory requirements, and organizational pain-points that we are, ultimately, looking to address? Let's begin with the end in mind knowing that, as an industry, we have a massive technical toolbox from which we can pull solutions, but what ultimately matters is applying that technology to put our customers, our partners, and/or ourselves in a better position than where we started.
Over the last few years, I have used these approaches in the Cloud Services space to serve as a Director of Solutions Engineering, specifically focused on providing analysis, planning, design, solution building, and product education to my colleagues in both direct and channel sales as well as assisting in developing our forward-looking technology roadmap, developing and articulating both our solution and organizational value propositions, and striving to contribute to industry thought leadership in our space specific to end user computing, edge security, general cybersecurity and compliance, and end user experience.
I am extremely fortunate to have served at various levels on both sides of the client/vendor relationship throughout my career from Systems Administration to Director of IT on the client side and Project Management, Solution Architect, Client Success Management, and Director of Solutions Engineering on the vendor side. This multifaceted experience helps with understanding and empathizing with all aspects of the digital transformation journey and enables me to function as both a trusted advisor and advocate for both the clients and partners with whom I am fortunate enough to work as well as the sales professionals whom I represent.
Interested in cloud services, security, or compliance? Please reach out; I'd love to talk!

CONTACT KEVIN

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-sullivan-3204292b/

Web. http://evolveip.net

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Building a Next Gen Network With Aryaka’s Renuka Nadkarni Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

http://www.bridgepointetechnologies.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=the-bridgecast-with-scott-kinka-ep30 | On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Renuka Nadkarni, Chief Product Officer at Aryaka. We’re talking about building a next gen network and so much more.

Aryaka pioneered the concept of a cloud-first architecture for delivering SD-WAN, and also now SASE, as-a-service. They provide secure connectivity, enabling organizations to work from anywhere in the world without compromising application performance through their patented, integrated technology and services.

During our conversation, we discussed convergence in the era when network and security edge are one and the same, the simplification and cost-saving potential through convergence and SASE, how we connect securely in the future, and so much more.

Topics covered in this episode:

● Renuka’s career move to Aryaka and the timing post-pandemic.

● The evolution of technology eras: Infrastructure era, Applications era, Conversions era.

● Why we need to focus on solving networking and security problems in the Conversions era.

● What building a next gen network looks like.

● Why Aryaka is shifting focus from infrastructure to applications to users and applications in the cloud.

● The importance of addressing the challenges of both remote users and distributed applications.

● The impact of remote work and distributed applications on productivity and experience.

● The importance of applying security consistently across the entire network and avoiding weak links.

● The differentiating security aspects within SASE.

● The challenges of point solutions for specific security problems that lead to complexity and inefficiency.

● The importance of managing existing security infrastructure and migrating gradually to SASE.

● Why Gen Z is a disruptive force in the workforce, bringing their unique technological and social strengths.

● The impact of the pandemic on changing work styles and acceptance of alternative work arrangements.

● The importance of messaging apps for connectivity and communication in the event of technological degradation.

ABOUT RENUKA NADKARNI

Ever-evolving cybersecurity threats fuel my drive to innovate. Using a data-driven analytical approach, I specialize in solving complex business problems.
My name is Renuka Nadkarni and I am the VP and CTO of Security at F5 Networks. F5 powers applications from development through their entire life cycle across any multi-cloud environment, so that our customers can deliver differentiated, high-performing, and secure digital experiences.
With over two decades of progressive business leadership experience in strategy, business operations and product management, I bring a unique combination of technical and business experience to this hybrid CTO role. Drawing on expertise in cybersecurity and in depth understanding of the business needs, I championed security as a strategic area of growth that led to the creation of a new CTO security charter.
With the evolution of applications come new challenges, and my goal is to get out in front of next gen security problems by driving the long-term security strategy for F5. Leveraging skills in strategic thinking, I provide recommendations for M&As. I sponsored and led several successful acquisitions to complement F5’s security portfolio.
Backed by experience in start-ups and large, publicly traded companies, combined with specialist knowledge in Cloud/IAAS technologies, Cybersecurity and Network and Cloud Security, I have been instrumental in the launch of new businesses at VMware, Infoblox, NetCitadel and Nevis Networks.
An advocate for women, diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity space, I work hard to actively support a culture where every person in the workplace has the opportunity to reach their full potential. I also mentor student groups via Capstone mentorship and currently work with two groups in Washington State University to develop open source ‘Capture the Flag’ software to encourage girls in high school to pursue Cybersecurity. I also volunteer at Techbridge girls to inspire and support underprivileged girls.
I am on LinkedIn to strengthen business relationships and develop my professional network. To get in touch, connect with me here or via LinkedIn message.

CONTACT RENUKA

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/renukanadkarni/

Web. https://www.aryaka.com/videos/aryaka-cpo-renuka-nadkarni-on-redefining-security/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Disrupting the Managed Service Provider Business Model With Sourcepass’ Roli Points Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

http://www.bridgepointetechnologies.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=the-bridgecast-with-scott-kinka-ep29 | On this episode of The Bridge, Roli Points, co-founder and VP of Strategic Alliances at Sourcepass, joins me. We’re talking about disrupting the managed service provider business model and more.

Sourcepass was created to disrupt the stale IT services and security space. Businesses are often held back by lackluster technology vendors that leave them underserved and overcharged for IT services. An opportunity existed for innovation through leveraging Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) married with premier managed services to provide a revolutionary client experience. As a result, Sourcepass was born. The vision of Sourcepass is to provide businesses of all sizes with a technology experience that elevates their company.

During our conversation, we discussed the DNA of the managed service provider business model, why being an MSP is about embracing the manual work that customers don’t want to do, what makes MSPs difficult to scale, what the approach of “intimacy at scale” looks like in practice, and so much more.

Topics covered in this episode:

● Why Roli's superpower is understanding business needs and helping customers solve problems.

● Rollie is based in Virginia with her husband, two kids, and a dog.

● How Sourcepass aims to disrupt the Managed Service Provider (MSP) space and focuses on providing a broad portfolio of technology services to the lower/mid market.

● How and why Sourcepass has acquired eight companies since its inception.

● How Sourcepass aims to provide an IT experience customers love and fill the gap between a customer's ability to buy a service and the service provider's role.

● Why their digital experience platform Quest is designed to be a unifying platform for customers, providing various services in one place.

● Why automation is a key component of the platform, including automated user onboarding.

● Why Sourcepass believes that Quest will be a disruptive differentiator in the marketplace.

● Why the company's strategy involves making acquisitions to create a broader portfolio of services and expand geographically.

● The challenges and complexities of managing multiple platforms for clients.

● The importance of employee satisfaction and engagement, organizing events and initiatives.

● Sourcepass’ "Intimacy at Scale," model highlights the personalized service they provide to customers even as the company grows.

● The company's strategy on investing back into the business to benefit customers and maintain control.

● Why the future of technology will likely focus heavily on security, given the increasing importance of cybersecurity due to rising cyber insurance costs and concerns.

ABOUT ROLI POINTS

Roli is a Sourcepass co-founder along, with CEO Chuck Canton and Vice President of Strategy and Execution Bruce Simms. A passionate leader and a technology enthusiast, Roli serves as the Vice President of Strategic Alliances. In this role, Roli will be responsible for building programs and driving strategic partnerships with vendors, services providers, and system integrators to create a lead generation engine. In addition, Roli will be reviewing and setting up channel sales distribution, and supporting the development of a sales and marketing function and go-to-market strategy.

Roli has held multiple core leadership positions in her career, including leading the Enterprise Client Services team at Vonage, delivering the best customer retention rates Vonage ever had for this segment. Prior, she managed GoDaddy’s largest commercial Top-Level Domain (.COM) along with other core product lines. Roli’s vast experience in managing high performing teams and client-facing roles enables her to truly understand customer needs, translating to better overall customer outcomes.

CONTACT ROLI

Web. https://sourcepass.com/team/roli-points/

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpoints/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery With Expedient’s Alvaro Gonzalez Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

http://www.bridgepointetechnologies.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=the-bridgecast-with-scott-kinka-ep28 | On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Alvaro Gonalez, AVP of Alliances and Marketing Strategy at Expedient. We’re talking about business continuity and disaster recovery, and so much more.

Expedient is a cloud and data center infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provider with local operations in cities across the U.S. Ranked as one of the Top 3 managed services providers worldwide on Channel Futures' MSP 501 list, Expedient’s converged solutions enable clients to focus on strategic business innovation, while the Expedient team handles the operation of the information technology needed to support it.

During our conversation, we discussed VDI having its day in hybrid work, running generative AI in content creation, Expedient's long-standing focus on business continuity and disaster recovery, and why planning for the unplanned is necessary.

Topics covered in this episode:

● Alvaro’s new role at Expedient as the VP of Alliances and Market Strategy, focusing on bridging technical, marketing, and sales aspects of the business.

● The tendency in the tech industry to focus on new and shiny technologies rather than solving actual problems.

● The challenge of balancing being seen as an expert with focusing on customer needs.

● How Expedient's VDI offering is driven by customer demand and caters to the hybrid work environment.

● The concept of hybrid work and the shift it brought to remote work and office dynamics.

● The impact of significant events on driving rapid technological change and adaptation.

● The importance of being exceptional at securing and managing endpoints due to the shift to hybrid work.

● The value of solving problems at scale and adopting strategies over tactics is highlighted.

● The impact of the pandemic on unplanned changes, the increased security risks and vulnerabilities during the pandemic, and the importance of recovery plans and preparation.

● The significance of micro-segmentation, including using tools like ColorTokens, for improving security across environments is discussed.

● The importance of incremental improvements and strategies in making a big difference in cybersecurity.

● Adapting and evolving due to various factors, including the pandemic and emerging practices like edge computing and end-user computing.

● The importance of solving challenges related to downtime, control, and telemetry in manufacturing.

● Microsoft's role in Expedient's ecosystem, where they provide support for Microsoft products like licensing, Microsoft 365, and Azure without directly reselling them.

● Predictions for the next 12 to 18 months.

ABOUT ALVARO GONZALEZ

Alvaro is an adventurous learner and hunter of excellence. After a first career in higher education, technology and problem solving in business are his focus.
First in the Cable MSO/IP world, then adding Telco, Data Center, MPLS and SIP, Cellular Network gear and remote site monitoring, Supply chain, BPO and now Cloud, he is proud of his record of using where he’s been to enrich his approach to the present set of problems faced by his employers and customers alike.
Alvaro’s academic experience was an excellent training in both how and why to be exacting in gathering data about a problem, organizing it in ways that illuminate solutions, and presenting the solutions effectively to people with different levels of technical and business expertise.
He gets great satisfaction from continuing to learn and applying his experience and fascination with improvement to clients’ needs and goals.

CONTACT ALVARO

Web. https://expedient.com/

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-gonzalez-54602a5/

Twitter. https://twitter.com/alvarocinci

Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/alvaro.gonzalez.39395/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Swimming in the Whale's Wake with Geoff Bloss of BCM One Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

http://www.bridgepointetechnologies.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=the-bridgecast-with-scott-kinka-ep27 | On this week’s episode of The Bridge, I sit down with Geoff Bloss, CEO at BCM One, to discuss investing in voice technology, acquisitions, and more.

BCM One is a leading provider of NextGen Communications and Managed Services to IT leaders and channel resellers nationwide. Serving over 18,000 customers and 5,000+ channel resellers, BCM One offers UCaaS, SIP Trunking, Managed SIP, Microsoft Teams, Managed SD-WAN, SASE, Global Managed Connectivity, Microsoft Professional Services, Technology Expense Management, and Network Monitoring and Management.

During this conversation, we talk about the COVID era, collaboration, investments, revolutions versus evolutions

and why voice technology is considered the most mission-critical application within businesses, especially during the transition to remote or hybrid workforces.

Topics covered in this episode:

● The role of voice technology within organizations.

● How BCM One excels in providing complex voice solutions and partnering with clients to architect full solutions that adapt to changing environments.

● The challenges of hybrid work.

● How the role of the office and office workers is being redefined, and why the burden of managing hybrid work is not necessarily reduced

● How BCM One evaluates potential acquisitions based on geographic expansion, service enhancement, and unique capabilities.

● Why businesses are rationalizing their investments in voice and collaboration services.

● How budgetary constraints and the desire for rational thought and planned deployment are driving the need to harmonize voice investments.

● Why providers like BCM must focus on crafting their unique value propositions while coexisting with larger providers like Microsoft and Cisco.

● Why Operator Connect is an easier way for end customers to bring their own provider into the Microsoft Teams environment.

● The importance of being prepared to adapt and alter strategies and businesses to meet a changing and dynamic environment.

ABOUT GEOFF BLOSS

Geoff Bloss is Chief Executive Officer for BCM One and it’s family of brands including SIP.US, SIPTRUNK and SkySwitch. BCM One provides NextGen Communications and Managed Services to over 17,000 clients/IT leaders of mid- to enterprise-level businesses nationwide, and serves over 2,000 channel partners, VARs, and MSPs.

Bloss joined BCM One in 2012 and served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer before being appointed to the role of CEO early in 2019 to lead the company to the next level of growth. He is also a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

Bloss previously served as Chief Information Leader at FlightSafety International, a $1B Berkshire Hathaway company. Earlier in his career, Bloss built deep expertise in the telecommunications industry, providing strategic and program management consulting and deploying operational support systems.

Bloss received an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a B.S. in Mathematical Science with Honors from the University of North Carolina. He was selected as one of QuantumShift’s Top Entrepreneurs in America for 2019 by KPMG LLP’s Private Markets Group and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

CONTACT GEOFF

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffbloss/

Web. https://www.bcmone.com/company/leadership/geoff-bloss/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Meeting the Challenges of Hybrid Work With Comcast Business Masergy's Chris MacFarland Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

http://www.bridgepointetechnologies.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=the-bridgecast-with-scott-kinka-ep26 | On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Chris MacFarland, CEO of Comcast Business-Masergy. We’re talking about SD-WAN deployment and so much more!

As a pioneer in software-defined networking, Masergy is a leading secure cloud networking platform for global businesses. Acquired by Comcast Business in 2021, Masergy leverages artificial intelligence to enable superior application performance, offering SD-WAN, Security, UCaaS, and CCaaS solutions.

During our conversation, we discussed rollercoaster career rides, the need for mid-market connectivity and security as equal partners in hybrid work, generative AI, and the future of energy abundance. And in a moment of transparency, we also talk about lessons learned during the pandemic and things that he and they could have done differently.

Topics covered in this episode:

The acquisition of Masergy by Comcast and its integration into Comcast Business.
The strategic fit between Masergy and Comcast Business, filling a gap in the upper market and mid-market around solutions.
The challenges and excitement of the 19-month journey after the acquisition.
The potential for Comcast Business to be recognized as a major player in enterprise services and solutions in the future.
The rationale behind Comcast’s decision to bring Masergy into the fold was driven by the changing landscape of work and the need for advanced solutions that enhance cyber posture and support the cloud journey.
Comcast’s aspirations with Masergy to become the leading global supplier of secure networking in the world.
The changing landscape of work, hybrid work environments, and the importance of connectivity in the new office setup.
Why the return to the office has been challenging for many companies, with some experiencing talent leaving when announcing the return.
Hybrid working is likely to continue, and companies are adjusting to this new reality.
How the pandemic led to increased demand for cloud communications, video conferencing, connectivity, and cybersecurity services.
Why the cultural challenges for fully virtual companies may outweigh the technical challenges.
The challenges and lessons learned from transitioning to a hybrid work environment during the pandemic.
How Comcast Business and Masergy are working on solutions to enhance security and resiliency for remote and small office users.
Predictions for significant advancements in AI and its impact on personalized medicine, leading to longer lifespans and improved quality of life.

ABOUT CHRIS MACFARLAND

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Chris MacFarland, the CEO of Comcast Business | Masergy, a leading global private cloud networking and cybersecurity company. With an impressive career spanning notable organizations like BroadSoft and Allegiance Telecom, Chris is widely respected for his exceptional leadership skills, earning prestigious recognition such as Glassdoor Employees' Choice Top CEO. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is actively involved in community service, serves on the boards of Compass Data Centers, Linear Labs, International Student Foundation and Tech Titans. Tune in as Chris shares his insights and experiences. And without further ado, let's dive into our conversation with this remarkable industry leader.

CONTACT CHRIS

Web. https://www.masergy.com/

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmacfarland/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

The Intersection of Business Communication and Technology with Talkdesk’s Bill Welch Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of The Bridge, I’m joined by Bill Welch, President and COO at Talkdesk. We’re talking about business communications and technology and how Talkdesk aims to transform the customer experience.

Talkdesk is a global cloud contact center leader for enterprises of all sizes. Talkdesk CX Cloud and Industry Experience Clouds help enterprises deliver modern customer service their way. Our trusted, flexible, and innovative contact center platform leverages AI and automation to drive exceptional outcomes for their customers and improve the bottom line.

During our conversation, we discuss technology, knowing your products and strengths, being culturally innovative, and not trying to be all things to all people. We also discuss living at the intersection of business communications and technology and why Talkdesk seeks strategic partnerships to deliver integrated solutions.

Topics covered in this episode:

● How the organization has always been feature-first and customer-focused.

● How they’ve developed a robust roadmap with a wide range of products to anticipate and meet customer needs.

● Why workforce management and case management are essential components of their offering.

● Why the organization seeks strategic partnerships with UCaaS and customer experience providers to deliver integrated solutions.

● What the intersection between business communication and technology looks like.

● Talkdesk's commitment to operating within verticals, particularly in healthcare, finance, and retail

● Adapting to changing customer expectations, where digital and mobile-first solutions and predictive technology enhance the customer experience.

● Why the company embraces remote work and finds it highly effective.

● The challenges in measuring productivity with managers from outside the organization.

● Predictions for the next 18 to 24 months

ABOUT BILL WELCH

William (Bill) Welch is the president and chief operating officer for Talkdesk, bringing over 30 years of extensive experience in operationalizing and scaling product development and innovation, customer experience and expansion, talent acquisition and retention, and strategic alliances across the globe. Prior to Talkdesk, Welch held executive leadership positions at IronNet, Duo Security, and Zscaler. While president and COO of Duo Security, he helped secure a $2.35 billion cash transaction with Cisco. As COO of Zscaler, he led the organization toward a dramatic expansion of employees and revenue, culminating in an industry-leading IPO and a $17 billion market capitalization.

CONTACT BILL

Web. https://www.talkdesk.com/about/leadership/

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/wewelch/

The Bridgecast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Achieving Better Business Outcomes Jeff DeVerter Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Bridge, we sit down with Jeff DeVerter, CTO at Rackspace Technology to talk about achieving better business outcomes whether through leveraging new technology, hybrid work models or AI.

Rackspace Technology is the multi-cloud solutions expert. Their technical acumen with the world’s leading technologies and multi-cloud environments — across applications, data, and security — enables customers to grow their business, increase efficiency and deliver the future. They solve more than workload problems; they create business advantages. Their multi-cloud solutions expertise means customers are empowered to work faster, smarter, and ahead of what’s next.

During this conversation, we covered a lot of ground, including the history of Rackspace, AI technology, autonomous weapons,, acheving more desirable business outcomes and whether Microsoft is a friend or foe. We also talked about customers and how they consume technology, and how we as technologists get consumed by our tech.

Topics covered in this episode:

· How IT decision-makers should prioritize solutions that can create tangible business outcomes.

· The importance of focusing on business outcomes enabled by infrastructure solutions rather than just the technology itself.

· How the role of managed service providers (MSPs) is to bridge the gap between technology vendors and customers, helping connect business outcomes with the right technology solutions.

· Why the evolution of technology, such as AI and generative AI, doesn't eliminate the need for developers.

· How evaluating employee success in the context of hybrid work and the value of output versus work hours can create more positive business outcomes.

· The concept of productivity as a math equation and the importance of meeting deadlines.

· The impact of the pandemic as a catalyst for change and opportunities in reevaluating business processes.

· Misconceptions about AI and the need for human intelligence in development teams.

· Potential risks and benefits of AI, including concerns about runaway AI and the need for a pause in technological advancements.

ABOUT JEFF DEVERTER

Perhaps the best way to describe what I do is to say that I am fanatical about helping people and companies be more successful with technology. Perhaps, though, a better way to describe my approach to work would be to say that I’m passionate about helping people. These folks could be co-workers, customers, employees, or friends – meaning is found in making a positive impact in another’s life.

I’ve been working with cloud-based services and technologies for over 10 years and during that time, I've launched business units within companies, lead those units, functioned as the CTO for Microsoft Technologies, and in general - been the trusted advisor to business large and small in making Cloud-transformation decisions.

When I’m not working, I enjoy my wife and two sons in either San Antonio or our small place in the Texas hill country – outside of Bandera, TX, the cowboy capitol of the world. So, whether I’m helping restore our piece of Texas hill country paradise or help companies transform their business into the digital age – it’s ultimately about helping.

CONTACT JEFF

LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeverter/

Web. https://www.rackspace.com/article-author/jeff-deverter

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