E-ChannelNews Podcasts

Send us a textJay McBain, Chief Analyst Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems at Omdia, outlined the strategic shifts facing the tech industry ahead of 2026. He pointed out the concerning gap between the success of consumer AI and the low ROI from most business AI implementations, linking this challenge to data center dependency and sustainability issues. He forecast major growth in managed security and AI services and stressed that companies must identify key market segments, develop essential skills, and use strategic partnerships to capitalize. Both McBain and Julian emphasized the importance of differentiation and strong leadership to succeed in a market increasingly defined by digital sameness.

Send us a textJulian sat down with Randal Wark and Paolo Del Nibletto to discuss the business climate in 2025, addressing the unpredictability of tariffs and its effects on corporate decision-making. Paolo noted that this uncertainty is causing businesses to hesitate in their pricing strategies, while Randal pointed out that many companies are tightening budgets and delaying projects, particularly in cybersecurity. They acknowledged the challenges posed by economic fluctuations and discussed the potential for technology to assist businesses in navigating these issues.The need for consistent privacy standards in North America was another key topic, with Randal and Paolo contrasting the situation with the successful implementation of GDPR in Europe. They highlighted the lack of clear governance policies in North America, which leads to increased vulnerabilities.They also touched on the challenges of remote work and the cybersecurity implications of accessing sensitive information in unsecured environments. Randal stressed the importance of disaster recovery plans and adaptability in response to emergencies, while Paolo discussed the political implications of power management in relation to AI.Review their 2024 forecasts: https://www.e-channelnews.com/2024-predictions-with-randal-wark-and-paolo-del-nibletto/

Send us a textGuest: Andy Sen, CTO, AppDirect, a leading multinational technology company that provides a B2B Subscription Commerce Platform and ecosystem.Andy talked about AppDirect’s vision for becoming a leading marketplace for subscription commerce tailored for advisors, outlining the company’s unique positioning compared to broader marketplaces. He shared insights from his extensive e-commerce background, particularly the transformative effects of mobile technology on consumer behavior. He also highlighted AppDirect’s initiatives with AI, particularly through their platform devs.ai, which empowers teams across the organization to develop their own AI solutions, enhancing productivity and fostering innovation.Andy emphasized governance and compliance as crucial for responsible AI, exploring AI’s potential to replace traditional ERP systems. Finally, he stressed the challenge of measuring AI productivity while asserting the irreplaceable value of human creativity.

Send us a textPresenters: Julian Lee, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital TransformationNim Nadarajah, C.CISO, Cyber Security, Compliance & Transformation Expert | Executive Board Member | Keynote Speaker Evgeniy Kharam, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital Transformation Cybersecurity Architect | Evangelist | Consultant | Advisor | Podcaster | Visionary | Speaker |Adam Bennett, Co-Founder & CEO at SureStack CEO at Crosshair CyberThe Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem aims to assist Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in becoming more cybersecurity-oriented amidst industry disruptions caused by AI and regulatory changes.The discussion, centered on cloud service outages and cybersecurity trends, immediately addressed the need for operational resiliency amid increasing cloud platform dependency. Evgeniy stressed that businesses must prepare for outages and design critical systems to function in degraded modes, suggesting specialized AI training for cloud solutions. Adam and Nim highlighted the growing threats posed by AI-driven malicious actors and synthetic identity fraud, underscoring the necessity of understanding vendor capabilities and the high financial cost of downtime.Click here to watch previous episodes on Cybersecurity Defense EcosystemTo learn more on Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem, visit: https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/

Send us a textCraig Bell, President and CEO of Onit, talked about the evolution of the IT sector, particularly the transition of Onit from an office equipment supplier to an MSP with an emphasis on cybersecurity and AI. Craig shared insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the impact of the COVID pandemic on business strategies and drawing parallels between the current managed services provider landscape and the copier industry of the 1990s.He emphasized the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, noting that many organizations only allocate significant budgets for cybersecurity after experiencing breaches. He also touched on the necessity of aligning AI investments with clear client needs to ensure successful outcomes, while cautioning against developing products solely for novelty.