As small/medium-sized businesses are looking to leverage technology to bolster their efforts to scale, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that many previously out-of-reach tools such as RPA and AI, are now easily accessible. This accessibility and the change in expectations on quality, speed, and self-service, are key drivers behind the acceleration economy.
In this “Back @ IT” episode, I am joined by Michael Intravartolo, Marketing Manager, and Ken Sebahar, President, from Solution Systems and the co-hosts/creators of the awesome podcast “A Shot of Business Central and a Beer”. We will dive into many topics today such as RPA, AI, Business Central, the cloud, crazy travel experiences, and much more.
00:54: Michael Intravartolo and Ken Sebahar share their journeys and the history of Solution Systems as a Dynamics 365 Business Central, SMB focused company. The passion for connecting with people and helping them with the “ah-ha” moment.
04:29: Aaron Back share’s his journey to today and becoming a Microsoft MVP for Business Applications.
06:11: The energy that comes from in-person events and how connecting with others can transform people and projects, and spark creativity and ideas. And, highlighting the upcoming Summit North America 2021 conference in Houston, TX on October 12, 13, and 14. (https://www.summitna.com/)
07:25: Virtual burnout is a real thing after months and months of virtual meetings. People are looking to get out and re-connect with others at in-person events. However, virtual tools enable quick meetings, getting to the point, and foster collaboration in unique ways.
11:17: What’s up with the podcast called “A Shot of Business Central and a Beer”? Ken and Michael unpack the premise and how it’s allowing them to reach an audience on key information around Business Central.
13:04: All things beer! The experience of tasting local brews when attending events is an adventure. Ken highlights how he is a “connoisseur” of beer.
14:34: Diving into Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with Ken and Michael surfaced interesting impacts in the SMB space.
16:51: Many cloud applications and tools that were only within reach for the Enterprise companies are now accessible to the SMB market.
19:11: Fear of the unknown is impacting the adoption of newer technologies such as artificial intelligence. We aren’t to the point of true artificial general intelligence. However, AI, RPA, and other tools can truly be leveraged as automated assistants in real practical applicational.
23:01: Throwback to the 90s and how far we have come since with cloud-enabled capabilities and what can be accomplished.
26:10: Microsoft’s packaging of Business Central, Office 365, and Power BI provide powerful tools for SMBs. Additionally, we are seeing the trickle-down effect from the enterprise being on the bleeding edge of adoption. This adoption “worked out the issues” (so to speak) which strengthened the applications and allowed for more viable options for SMBs.
29:10: Crazy travel experiences from blocked from entering a country to scary nighttime walks, to old-school throwbacks to GPS tech, MapQuest, Tom-Tom, and printing out maps that are incomplete to how far we have come by using AI-powered, voice-powered apps on our phones.
35:25: The advancements in technology are second nature to kids today and the expectations are different today than they were before. This speaks to the concept of the acceleration economy of wanting things of high quality, fast service, and on our own time. All of which is cloud-enabled, AI-empowered, and human optimized.
