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Topic 1: Limit AI Research before it happens?
Wired reports that an AI algorithm that “predicts” criminality based on a facial recognition is drawing ire. Meanwhile, some AI experts are calling to stop this line of research altogether.
https://www.wired.com/story/algorithm-predicts-criminality-based-face-sparks-furor/
Topic 2: Apple buys an RMM
. . . Will this affect us? (and Dave notes his predictions along these lines).
Note also Amazon’s new use of the term “managed service ” with regard to their Honeycode project. Described online as a “managed service” you can buy.
See . . .
https://www.channele2e.com/investors/mergers-acquisitions/apple-buys-fleetsmith/
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200624005803/en/AWS-Announces-Amazon-Honeycode
Topic 3: Life after the Pandemic . . .
Will we actually get to attend anything in October?
We discuss probabilities . . . and have some differences of opinion.
🙂
Brian sits down with Solutions Granted CEO, Michael Crean and VP of Business Development Jennifer Bleam to talk about translating technology and cybersecurity to your customers and prospects. Both Michael and Jennifer give some great analogies and stories you can use with your customers that will resonate and help you advance and elevate the conversation.
Solutions Granted are an MSSP that take a holistic approach in partnering with MSP’s to not only secure their clients, however also support with client conversations, whether its adding to their security stack or ensuring compliance is being met. You can find more information about Solutions Granted and contact info in our Security Solutions Showcase.
Our sponsor today is PC Matic – Thank you! More info at https://pcmatic.com/msp
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Topic 1: Coming boom for freelancers?
Part of the rhythm of the economy is that economic downturns result in new opportunities. This time, the question is, will this help independent IT consultants?
Note: When decision makers are looking for special skills, they would rather hire an outside source rather than train someone in-house – even if cost is not a factor.
Related Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elainepofeldt/2020/06/12/the-coming-boom-for-freelancers/
Topic 2: IT Glue released their 2020 Global MSP Benchmarks.
A few notes. Around half (51%) of MSPs saw monthly revenue decreases as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, more than a quarter (29%) of MSPs saw their accounts receivable increase, showing more clients could not meet contract deadlines to pay for services.
This survey did show a jump of prioritization of cybersecurity, from 27% of respondents in Feb to more than 50% in May.
Old priorities were wiped away, replaced not only by cyber security but with customer churn, price pressure, and a second lockdown.
Link: https://www.itglue.com/news/itg-global-msp-benchmark-2020/
Topic 3: Life After the Pandemic . . . Increases in “Agile.”
We look at the business of the IT channel in the post-quarantine world … specifically how channel partners need to adapt the way they plan and operate, and how they engage their vendor partners. Things look like they’re going to be a lot more Agile. If you’re not in project management, you’re still going to have to learn the terminology of PM very soon.
Related Link: https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/partners/old-business-planning-out-agile-approach-in/#comment-13 🙂
Special Note: This week’s podcast is brought to you by our friends at Third Tier. For more information, visit www.ThirdTier.net.
Topic 1: IBM and Amazon get out of facial recognition
Major companies are backing away from developing and working with facial recognition technology. Issues include both the racial bias and the fact that they are working with police agencies.
And then there was another shoe that dropped on the facial recognition topic. https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/10/21287101/amazon-rekognition-facial-recognition-police-ban-one-year-ai-racial-bias
Other, older, related links:
https://www.wired.com/story/algorithms-recognize-masked-face/
Topic 2: Let’s Ban the term “New Normal”
Everything changes all the time. We discuss whether the term “new normal” is actually useful at all. Hint: In a tech-centric world, this term just isn’t very useful.
We welcome your comments and feedback.
Topic 3: Life after the pandemic — The 4-Day Work Week
This is a thread we’ve touched on in terms of the way people will work after the pandemic . . . but with more specific details and recommendations. Here’s a recent article from a Canadian writer. https://theconversation.com/the-day-is-dawning-on-a-four-day-work-week-139587 🙂
Topic 1: Facebook Shops
Will you (should you) set up a shop on Facebook? We give our perspective.
Related Link: https://stratechery.com/2020/platforms-in-an-aggregator-world/
Topic 2: Lobbying by and for the IT Community
Should we be lobbying on behalf of the IT Community? What does that look like?
We discuss some of the major issues and what we think the (near) future might look like. Who should speak for us?
Topic 3: How will we be affected by the current events and unrest, once the dust settles.
Again, just our opinion. But we feel that we need to say something.
Your feedback is always welcome!
🙂
Brian talks with Gill Langston, Head Security Nerd at Solarwinds MSP, Kyle Hanslovan, CEO of Huntress Labs and Billy Austin, Co-Founder and President at Rocketcyber about how MSPs need to be assessing their clients security posture with a remote workforce and how they need to be taking a look at their own business model to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.
Brian catches up with Robin Livesay, Director of Marketing for UpLevel Systems to discuss the security risks remote workers pose and how home networks can be secured and managed un-intrusively.
We have a bit of a theme going through all three of today’s topics: Education.
Topic 1: Google Classrooms – too meager?
In case you haven’t seen it, here is “Google Classroom.”
https://edu.google.com/products/classroom/?modal_active=none
Google Classroom is super low tech. Is it too low tech? How much tech is needed in order to serve the education market? We discuss design, technology, and intended purposes.
Of course this discussion touches on the topic of access to high speed Internet. More and more, true Internet access is becoming a requirement for education.
Old link, but we all downloaded it before it became hard to find: https://www.subtraction.com/2020/05/19/google-classroom-and-how-spaces-value-people/
Our saved version: https://killingit.smallbizthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Google-Classroom-and-How-Spaces-Value-People-Subtraction.pdf
Topic 2: HP Refresh / HP LIFE / Google Chrome books / the growing Digital divide
HP has a great program to help get laptops (or desktop computers) into the hands of 1.5 billion students without computers. The HP Refresh software does a military wipe of the hard drive and then installs a Chrome operating system with a Zoom agent.
We discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with bringing this basic technology to all the folks across the U.S. and the world.
HP Refresh = https://www8.hp.com/us/en/solutions/education/refresh.html HP Life Global = https://www.life-global.org/
Topic 3: Life after Pandemic – Classrooms and Connectivity
We agree that the digital divide is real. And we think it might be getting wider.
Again, we examine opportunities in the emerging environment.
🙂
Recorded LIVE at the SMB Online Conference!
(Conference attendees can see and listen to all four topics in the Conference downloads area.)
Topic 1: Where do we stand on burrito delivery?
Update on our year-old bet: Will your pizza (or burrito) be delivered first by flying drone or driverless car/robot?
Well, that driverless car might have lots of fees attached (see New York Times).
And of course industry news is hard to separate from “pandemic” news right now, but workforce slowdowns will affect the pace of technology adoption.
Relevant links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/technology/driverless-cars.html
Topic 2: Emerging Technology and Digital Transformation
(Dave’s pet peeve)
Wherein we explore the state of all this change in our industry. Are we there yet?
Link:
Topic 3: Life After the Pandemic
How much will the IT consultant’s business go back to the old normal?
Roundtable discussion. Karl says our definition of the network will be changed forever.
🙂
Brian sits down with IoTSSA’s newest partner ADT Cybersecurity. Heather Myers, Partner Channel Manager and Ron Culler, Senior Director Technology & Solutions are making enterprise level cybersecurity available to the SMB through the IT Channel and MSP partners.
What impact will there be to businesses who deployed mass work forces almost overnight back in March? They discuss dwell times and the potential damage that will result in unprotected home devices connecting to business networks once this pandemic is over. Many IT Service Providers are feeling overwhelmed with the potential risk exposure and aren’t sure where to begin. ADT Cybersecurity are positioned to be your security arm so that you can focus on growing your core IT business. A very warm welcome to ADT Cybersecurity coming on board with IoTSSA and our members.
