Each day, the flood of technology news hits.  In an industry that always changes, those who deliver technology services need to focus on the information that matters to them.  The Business of Tech podcast focuses on the news you need to know.   Covering both the story and why it matters to the way services are created and delivered, channel veteran Dave Sobel brings you up to speed and gives you resources to go deeper.   With insights and analysis, this five minute podcast focuses on the knowledge you need to be effective, profitable, and relevant.

The podcast is hosted by Dave Sobel, a leading expert in the delivery of technology services with broad experience in both technology and business.    He owned and operated an IT Solution Provider and MSP for over a decade, both acquiring other organizations and eventually being acquired.  This firm was a winner of multiple awards, including Kaseya’s Cutting Edge and ConnectWise’s Best New Idea, as well as being a finalist for Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner of the Year in the Small Business Specialist category.    After his MSP experience, he worked for multiple vendors at such companies as Level Platforms, GFI, LogicNow, and Solarwinds, leading community, event, marketing, and product strategies, as well as several M&A activities.

He was named a CRN Channel Chief multiple times, to the CRN UK A-List, as a Channel Futures Circle of Excellence winner, to Channel Pro’s 20/20 Visionaries, and has been an MSPmentor 250 member for multiple years  Dave has been recognized as one of the top virtualization experts globally as a Microsoft MVP for Virtualization. and author of “Virtualization: Defined.  A Primer for the SMB Consultant.” Dave has served on the executive council for Managed Services and Emerging Technologies, the Vendor Advisory Council, as founding Chair for the Mobility Community for CompTIA.

News and commentary delivered daily from experience.

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All Episodes

Mon Jan-22-2024: M365 Add-Ons: 14 to 61 in 4 Years, Horizon IT Fallout, Vision Pro Debut

In this episode of The Business of Tech, host Dave Sobel discusses four important tech news stories. First, he highlights Microsoft’s 365 add-on search and the significant increase in the number of paid add-ons for customers. Next, he mentions the recent email breach by Russian hackers that Microsoft revealed. Sobel then discusses the fallout from the Horizon IT case, where over 700 people were wrongfully convicted due to software errors. Lastly, he mentions the debut of the Apple Vision Pro and the concerns surrounding its availability and repair costs.

Streamlining Business Operations through AI Automation with Uzair Ahmed

In this bonus episode of the Business of Tech, host Dave interviews Uzair Ahmed, the founder and chief automation officer at Cottonwood Automation. Uzair shares his insights on leveraging technology to automate and streamline small and mid-sized businesses. He discusses the importance of connecting various software systems and eliminating manual processes to create a more efficient and cohesive business operation. Uzair also explains why he believes partnering with existing managed internet service providers is a better approach for businesses in need of infrastructure support. Tune in to learn more about Uzair’s approach to business process automation and his success in building and scaling ventures.

Fri Jan-19-2024: MSPs Boost IT Budgets by 70%, FTC Joins AI Pact, Kaseya Case Update

In this episode, we discuss four key topics. First, MSPs are boosting their IT budgets by up to 70% to meet the growing demand for enterprise IT. Second, the FTC joins a global pact for AI data privacy, focusing on enhancing training data trustworthiness. Third, we provide an update on the Kaseya case, with prosecutors and the FBI continuing their pursuit beyond sentencing. Finally, we explore the importance of cross-industry collaboration in leveraging AI’s full potential, with insights from Google DeepMind’s COO. We also highlight the significance of human expertise in cybersecurity and introduce Huntress, a company dedicated to elevating SMBs and MSPs with fully managed cybersecurity solutions. The episode concludes with a report on MSPs’ increased spending and the popularity of refurbished IT equipment in the industry.

Thur Jan-18-2024: AI’s Global Copyright Law Challenges, AI Integration Planning Hurdles, Remote Work

In this episode of the Business of Tech podcast, Dave Sobel discusses three key topics. First, he explores the business opportunity for IT services in guiding companies through AI integration and overcoming planning hurdles. Next, he dives into the challenges faced by the AI industry in 2024, particularly in relation to global copyright laws. Lastly, he examines the lasting economic legacy of the pandemic, with a significant percentage of U.S. workers continuing to work remotely. The episode also highlights the importance of cybersecurity expertise and introduces Huntress, a company focused on elevating SMBs and MSPs with fully managed cybersecurity solutions. Additionally, Dave shares insights from Gartner on the current stage of AI investment and the projected growth of IT spending in 2024. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and business.

Wed Jan-17-2024: Cloud Soars as Traditional IT Declines, Google’s No More Exit Fees, Data Analytics

In this episode, Dave Sobel discusses the latest updates in the tech market. He starts by highlighting the increase in cloud infrastructure spending and the decline in traditional IT. He also explores the opportunities for IT firms in data analytics and culture transformation. Dave then mentions Google’s strategic move in cloud competition. Moving on, he discusses the latest Consumer Price Index report, which shows sticky inflation in key areas of the economy. This could complicate expectations of near-term interest rate cuts. Dave shares that prices are rising faster than desired, particularly in the services sector, while goods prices are falling. He concludes by mentioning the decline in worldwide PC shipments according to Gartner.

Tue Jan-16-2024: CES Highlights, Microsoft Unveils Copilot Pro, Evergreen’s International Ambition

In this episode, Dave Sobel discusses the highlights from CES, including the introduction of Wi-Fi 7, which promises faster speeds and improved efficiency for high bandwidth activities. He also covers other tech products showcased at the event, such as voice-controlled luxury toilet seats, transparent displays, and new processors and graphic cards. Additionally, Microsoft unveils Copilot Pro, a consumer AI plan for enhanced productivity, and Lancom Technology joins Evergreen through acquisition.

Fri Jan-12-2024: Trends in Flexibility, Remote Work, and Employee Well-being & Building AI Services

In this episode of the Business of Tech podcast, host Dave Sobel discusses the changing work landscape and the impact it has on employee well-being. He shares data from various surveys, including the American Psychological Association’s Work in America survey, which reveals that workplace stress in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions, with high workloads, low job control, and work-family conflict being the top stressors. The survey also highlights high rates of workplace bullying and discrimination. Additionally, the episode explores the issue of burnout and its impact on productivity, with 65% of employees experiencing burnout in 2023. The importance of taking breaks, having focused time, and logging off after work is emphasized, as these practices have been found to improve productivity. Lastly, the podcast discusses the challenges faced by remote workers, including a lower likelihood of receiving promotions and raises.

Thu Jan-11-2024: Generative AI on Upward Mobility, Microsoft CoPilot adoption, and OpenAI’s moves

In this episode of the Business of Tech podcast, host Dave Sobel discusses OpenAI’s strategic moves, including their response to copyright lawsuits and the launch of their new service, ChatGPT Team. OpenAI defends their use of copyrighted material for training AI technologies, stating it falls under fair use and emphasizes the transformative potential of AI in journalism. They have also launched ChatGPT Team, a subscription tier targeting small and medium-sized businesses, offering access to GPT-4 and various tools. The episode also touches on the mixed impact of generative AI on minority workforces and organizational challenges. Tune in to learn more about these important developments in the tech industry.

Wed Jan-10-2024: Carta’s Unconsented Investor Contact, CES 2024: AR and VR, HPE to buy Juniper

In this episode, we discuss three key tech news stories. First, we dive into the controversy surrounding Carta, a cap table management company, and its alleged unethical tactics. The CEO of a startup claims that Carta contacted investors without consent and attempted to sell shares without authorization. This incident has raised questions about Carta’s trustworthiness and sparked similar experiences from other customers.
Next, we explore the highlights from CES 2024, focusing on the shift in AR and VR terminology and its industrial applications. The event showcased the evolving landscape of augmented and virtual reality technologies and how they are being utilized in various industries.
Lastly, we cover HPE’s $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, signaling an AI-focused expansion. This move highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the tech industry and the strategic investments being made to capitalize on its potential.