
Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights
In 10 minutes daily, The Business of Tech delivers the latest IT services and MSP-focused news and commentary. Curated to stories that matter with commentary answering 'Why Do We Care?', channel veteran Dave Sobel brings you up to speed and provides resources to go deeper. With insights and analysis, this focused podcast focuses on the knowledge you need to be effective, profitable, and relevant.
Latest episodes

Aug 6, 2024 • 24min
Exploring Open Source Solutions for Risk Reduction in IT Services with Doug Milburn
Doug Milburn, co-founder of 45 Drives, discusses the role of open source solutions in the tech industry. Doug emphasizes the importance of open source in reducing risks for businesses by providing reliable, secure, and cost-effective solutions. He highlights the community-driven nature of open source software and the need for proper implementation to mitigate project risks.Dave challenges the notion that open source is a one-size-fits-all solution, pointing out the complexities and potential risks associated with using open source software. He raises concerns about the additional workload and resources required for managed service providers to navigate the open source ecosystem effectively. Doug counters by emphasizing the benefits of open source in terms of transparency, security, and control over software updates.The conversation delves into the debate over open source versus proprietary software in different tech environments, with Doug advocating for a shift towards open source solutions in server rooms and even on desktops. He shares examples of how open source software can offer greater control and security compared to proprietary alternatives, particularly in managing software updates. Dave challenges Doug's assertions, highlighting the role of managed service providers in managing patch rollouts and ensuring software compatibility.As the discussion unfolds, Doug and Dave explore the implications of relying on proprietary software for critical business operations, citing recent incidents like the CrowdStrike issue. Doug argues that open source software offers a more transparent and secure approach to managing software updates and security vulnerabilities. The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of taking security seriously in the tech industry and considering the advantages of open source solutions in addressing these challenges.
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

Aug 4, 2024 • 21min
AI Promise in Business Ops: Boosting Productivity, Labor Impact, and Ethical Concerns with Colin Britton
The potential of AI is to enhance the productivity of top performers within organizations. The focus is on leveraging AI to elevate the performance of senior employees rather than just junior staff. By empowering top players with AI tools, businesses can drive productivity improvements from a top-down perspective, leading to more significant overall gains in efficiency and effectiveness.The guest, Colin Britton, shares his extensive experience in utilizing data science and machine learning technologies to drive business outcomes. He highlights the evolution of these technologies over the years, emphasizing the importance of leveraging unstructured and semi-structured data to make informed decisions and optimize operations. Colin's insights shed light on the transformative power of AI in enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities within organizations.As AI continues to revolutionize business operations, there is a growing need to address ethical concerns surrounding data privacy and security. Colin emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between leveraging AI tools for productivity gains and ensuring the protection of sensitive business information. By adopting a secure productivity approach, organizations can harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding against potential risks and vulnerabilities.The conversation also delves into the potential impact of AI-driven productivity gains on labor needs within organizations. With the prospect of significant productivity improvements, businesses may need to reevaluate their workforce structure and roles to align with the changing demands of AI-enhanced operations. The discussion touches on the possibility of passing on productivity gains to employees as a retention strategy, highlighting the importance of creating a conducive and flexible work environment in the era of AI-driven advancements. Supported by: https://www.coreview.com/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

Aug 3, 2024 • 32min
Navigating SMB Trends: Security, AI, and Consulting in IT Operations with Anurag Agrawal
Dave Sobel welcomes Anurag Agarwal from TechIsle to discuss research data on customer expectations, cybersecurity, and AI trends. The conversation delves into the increasing budget allocations for IT security among SMBs, highlighting the importance of consulting services in guiding SMBs towards choosing the right security technologies and frameworks. Anurag emphasizes the shift towards cybersecurity as a business risk, prompting SMBs to focus on cyber resiliency rather than just cybersecurity. The discussion then transitions to the evolving landscape of AI adoption, with a focus on large language models (LLMs) and their impact on businesses. Anurag and Dave explore the significance of AI consulting in preparing organizations for AI implementation, emphasizing the need for expertise in selecting the right language models for specific business problems. The conversation underscores the importance of aligning with a single hyperscaler for AI solutions and the emerging trend towards small language models (SLMs) for accelerated AI adoption. Anurag highlights the growing trend of AI assessment as a key focus for both partners and end customers, surpassing cloud cost optimization and security assessments. Supported by: https://salesbuildr.com/
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

Aug 1, 2024 • 11min
CrowdStrike Consquences, SaaS Pricing Evolution, AI Security Tools, and IT Outsourcing Strategies
In the aftermath of the CrowdStrike outage, Delta Airlines estimates a $500 million loss due to flight cancellations and financial repercussions. Delta is considering legal action against CrowdStrike and Microsoft, with shareholders also filing a lawsuit against CrowdStrike for alleged misleading information. The Cyber Safety Review Board is contemplating an investigation into CrowdStrike's incident, while over 180 software companies have committed to CISA's Secure by Design pledge to enhance cybersecurity practices.The episode also covers new tools and enhancements in the tech industry, including Gradient MSP's benchmark tool for managed services providers, Cohesity's AI-powered data cloud with improved threat detection capabilities, and NIST's Dioptra for assessing security risks in AI models. The discussion delves into the evolving landscape of SaaS pricing in the AI era, highlighting the shift towards usage-based pricing models and the importance of adapting pricing strategies to capitalize on AI capabilities. Additionally, strategies for successful IT outsourcing partnerships are outlined, emphasizing the need for clear communication, defined goals, and talent acquisition.Dave Sobel provides insights into the impact of the CrowdStrike outage on managed services providers and their clients, noting regional differences in the effects of the incident. The episode also previews upcoming bonus content, including discussions on AI and security, the AI promise of enhancing top performers, and insights on automating workflows using artificial intelligence. Three things to know today00:00 CrowdStrike Outage Impact: Delta's $500M Loss, Shareholder Lawsuit, CSRB Consideration, and CISA Pledge Growth04:16 New Tools and Enhancements: Gradient MSP's Benchmark Tool, Cohesity's AI-Powered Data Cloud, and NIST's Dioptra for AI Security05:46 Navigating the Future of SaaS Pricing and IT Outsourcing: Strategies for Success in the AI Era Supported by: https://timezest.com/mspradio/https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/
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

Jul 31, 2024 • 10min
Remote Work Trends, AI Use Cases, Risk Management, Vertical Specialization, & Legal Practice Launch
The surge in remote work is reshaping the workplace, with full-time remote workers expected to increase significantly. Chief Information Security Officers face new challenges, relying more on zero-trust security models. AI is making waves in diverse fields, from innovative weather forecasting to virtual companionship. A Virginia Representative even used AI to clone her voice for a speech! Moreover, the push for open-weight generative AI models aims to support small businesses, all while a legal practice launch reflects a growing trend in specialization within IT services.

Jul 30, 2024 • 9min
AI Sentiment Analysis, FedRAMP Modernization, Border Search Rulings, Microsoft Security Strategy
In the current landscape of AI sentiment analysis, there are challenges faced by organizations in justifying the costs of generative AI projects. While executives expect AI to boost productivity, employees report feeling overwhelmed and experiencing burnout due to increased workloads. This discrepancy between leaders and employees underscores the need for organizations to invest in AI implementation, leverage freelance talent, and rethink productivity metrics to address these issues effectively.The episode also delves into the findings of the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, revealing a widening gap between the increasing use of AI tools by developers and their trust in the accuracy of these tools. Concerns around misinformation, data attribution, and bias contribute to the lack of trust in AI systems. Despite these concerns, developers do not see AI as a job threat, with JavaScript remaining the most popular programming language and AWS leading in cloud platforms.Furthermore, the discussion touches on the evolving landscape of IT and privacy policy, with a focus on the modernization of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) and recent court rulings on border searches. The modernization of FedRAMP aims to enhance cloud security authorization processes, driving government-wide digital transformation and IT modernization. Additionally, the court ruling emphasizes the importance of warrants for searches, safeguarding privacy rights protected by the First and Fourth Amendments.Lastly, the episode explores Microsoft's response to the CrowdStrike outage, where 8.5 million PCs were affected by a faulty update. Microsoft is considering restricting third-party access to the Windows kernel to enhance system reliability and security. This incident underscores the importance of software quality and system resilience, prompting discussions around kernel access policies. The episode concludes with a call for technology advancements and a reminder of the significance of software quality in ensuring system reliability. Three things to know today00:00 AI Sentiment Analysis: Addressing the Gaps Between Business Leaders and Employees, Product Use and Trust04:17 FedRAMP Modernization and Court Ruling on Border Searches Highlight Major IT and Privacy Policy Shifts06:15 Microsoft's Security Strategy: Lessons from CrowdStrike Outage and Potential Kernel Access Restrictions Supported by: https://movebot.io/mspradio/
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

Jul 29, 2024 • 9min
Resilient U.S. Economy, Kaseya 365 Adoption, Search Industry Disruption
First, an overview of the current state of the U.S. economy, highlighting positive trends such as the expansion of the services sector and a slight pickup in GDP growth for the April-June period. Despite concerns about a high interest rate environment, the economy remains resilient, with jobless claims and durable goods orders aligning with a positive growth outlook.The episode also delves into the projected growth of consumer tech spending in the U.S., with a 1% increase expected this year and a 4.4% growth forecasted for 2025. This growth follows declines in the consumer tech market in previous years due to various economic factors. The focus on small businesses as consumers rather than enterprise businesses is seen as a positive sign for the industry.Kaseya's announcement of the adoption of its Kaseya 365 subscription by over 4,000 MSPs in the first three months since its launch is discussed. The subscription has reportedly led to higher profits and cost savings for MSPs, positioning them as more profitable service providers for small businesses. The episode analyzes the pricing strategy behind the subscription and emphasizes the importance of understanding the messaging around price and margin.The episode concludes with a discussion on the evolving landscape of search engines, highlighting innovations from Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Google's strong earnings in Q2 2024, Microsoft's AI-enhanced update to Bing Search, and OpenAI's SearchGPT are all significant developments in the search industry. These advancements signal a disruption in search technology, with potential downstream impacts on marketing strategies for IT services and customers. Three things to know today00:00 Resilient US Economy: Q2 GDP Up, Services Thrive, and Tech Spending Expected to Rebound03:52 Kaseya 365 Subscription Adopted by Over 4,000 MSPs in First Three Months04:58 Search Industry Disruption: Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI Innovate Amid Revenue and Content Access Shifts Supported by: https://www.coreview.com/msphttps://mspradio.com/engage/
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

Jul 28, 2024 • 23min
Sustainability, AI, and Growth in IT Services: Insights from Rackspace President Srini Koushik
Srini Koushik, President of Technology and Sustainability at Rackspace, discusses the changing landscape of sustainability and AI in the IT services market. Srini highlights the importance of incorporating sustainability into services in a more holistic manner, considering factors such as climate change, income inequality, and equitable AI implementation. He emphasizes the need for conscious consumer choices and selecting vendors who prioritize sustainability in their operations.The conversation shifts to AI, with Srini outlining Rackspace's approach to responsible AI implementation through the Foundry for AI initiative. He stresses the importance of AI being symbiotic with human beings, secure, and sustainable. Srini explains how Rackspace aims to leverage its expertise in managing production workloads to help customers implement AI solutions that meet these criteria. The discussion delves into the role of partnerships in delivering AI solutions tailored to specific organizational needs.Srini explores the potential for AI to address technical debt in organizations and drive productivity improvements. He underscores the importance of training both AI models and human users to maximize the benefits of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot. Srini envisions a future where AI enhances critical thinking skills and frees up time for individuals to focus on higher-level tasks. The episode concludes with a reflection on the evolving opportunities in the IT services market and the transformative potential of AI for businesses. Supported by:https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/http://skykick.com/mspradio/
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

Jul 27, 2024 • 44min
Quality Assurance in Software: Lessons from the CrowdStrike Incident with Ryan Morris
Dave Sobel and channel expert Ryan Morris discuss the aftermath of the CrowdStrike incident and the importance of focusing on software quality in the tech industry. They emphasize the need for technology vendors to prioritize reliability, stability, security, and manageability in their products to prevent future outages and vulnerabilities. The conversation highlights the role of MSPs and channel companies in ensuring that the technology they offer is reliable and professionally supported, ultimately benefiting both the vendors and the end-users. Ryan Morris emphasizes the importance of channel partners choosing vendors based on the quality and reliability of their products, rather than just the latest features or pricing. He stresses the need for vendors to take responsibility for the quality of their software and provide effective support to channel partners in case of issues. The discussion also touches on the significance of industry-wide initiatives like the "secure by design" pledge to promote software quality and security across the tech ecosystem. The conversation shifts to the impact of AI on IT careers, with both Dave and Ryan expressing optimism about AI's role in enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing jobs. They discuss the importance of leveraging AI as a tool to make professionals more productive and efficient in their roles. Additionally, Dave clarifies his approach to selecting tools for an MSP business, focusing on compatibility with modern API-driven interfaces and the importance of selecting tools that align with the business's long-term goals. The episode concludes with a preview of an upcoming interview with Srini Koushik of Rackspace, where he discusses Rackspace's AI framework and their focus on responsible AI implementation. The conversation highlights Rackspace's commitment to symbiotic, secure, and sustainable AI solutions, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI practices in the tech industry. Supported by: https://salesbuildr.com/
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

Jul 25, 2024 • 11min
CrowdStrike Outage Fallout, North Korean Hacks Cyber Firm, Digital Twins, Cloud Security
We discuss the aftermath of CrowdStrike's software update crash, which cost Fortune 500 companies an estimated $5.4 billion. The update caused widespread disruptions, particularly in the aviation, healthcare, and banking sectors. CrowdStrike is working on improving their testing policies and deployment strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future. The fallout from the crash has led to investigations by the Department of Transportation and calls for congressional hearings.Another highlight of the episode is the revelation that a North Korean threat actor infiltrated a cybersecurity firm by posing as a remote worker using a stolen identity. This incident underscores the importance of robust vetting processes and continuous security monitoring in organizations. The need for enhanced security measures to detect and prevent such attacks is emphasized, as the threat landscape continues to evolve.The episode also delves into the concept of digital twins, virtual likenesses used for research purposes, and their potential applications in various industries. The market for digital twins is expected to grow significantly, with healthcare driving its growth. Additionally, the discussion touches on the importance of strategic AI integration and scenario planning to prepare for the future of AI technology.Lastly, the episode explores the challenges faced by the shared responsibility model in cloud computing security. As sophisticated threats and automated attacks strain the traditional model, cloud providers are urged to take on more responsibility to protect their customers. The need for industry-wide improvements in security practices and the importance of incorporating AI into strategic planning processes are highlighted throughout the episode. Three things to know today00:00 CrowdStrike's Crash Costs Billions: Aviation Disruptions, Congressional Hearings, and New Testing Policies05:51 Identity Theft and AI: How a North Korean Hacker Infiltrated a Cybersecurity Firm06:39 Strategic AI Integration: Digital Twins, Scenario Planning, and Evolving Cloud Security Models for Future Success Supported by: https://trinitycyber.com/msp4/
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