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619: Mac Misfires, Backblaze Blues, and the Cost of Bad Support
/In this episode, the hosts of Command Control Power discuss their personal lives and tech experiences, including outdoor activities and everyday tech issues. They delve into a peculiar issue one encountered with a MacBook Pro during an update, which turned out to be related to Dell Display Manager. The conversation also covers Backblaze backup anomalies, Apple's migration assistant quirks, and problematic customer service interactions with vendors like Microsoft and RingCentral. To wrap up, the team reflects on the importance of considering user behavior in quality assurance for tech products and services.
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
00:54 Unexpected MacBook Pro Issue
03:33 Dell Display Manager Mystery
05:27 Annoying Software Bugs
08:48 Client Troubleshooting Story
17:55 Apple Watch Repair Misunderstanding
23:48 Backblaze Exclusions and Concerns
25:13 MacBook Air Story and Backup Issues
26:32 Backblaze Deduplication and Support
28:15 Trust Issues with Backblaze
30:48 Considering Alternative Backup Solutions
33:53 Client Concerns and Backup Costs
41:48 RingCentral and Phone Services
49:39 Quality Assurance in Tech
52:18 Concluding Thoughts and Listener Invitation
616: Backblaze Blues, Alectrona Patch Updates & the MacBook Air That Took Flight
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Cirrus Partners
The hosts of Command Control Power discuss recent issues with Backblaze, including failed updates and poor communication, which have eroded trust among users. They delve into the technical struggles with Apple's update processes and highlight improvements to the Electronic Patch software. Jerry shares a personal story about accidentally leaving his MacBook Air on top of his car and the ensuing repair saga, illustrating the importance of awareness and preparedness in the IT field. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the frustrations and foibles that come with managing tech in today's rapidly evolving landscape.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:12 Backblaze Recap: Communication and QA Issues
01:32 Backblaze Update Problems and User Confusion
03:03 Backblaze's Compromised Credentials and Communication Breakdown
05:41 Inconsistent Communication and Crowdsourcing Solutions
18:18 Apple's QA Issues and Update Problems
33:01 General Frustrations with Technology and Education
35:45 AI Tools for Coders
36:14 Introducing Trona Patch 3.0
36:50 Customizing Patch Notifications
37:23 Client Reactions to Patch
39:39 New Features in Patch 3.0
46:51 Balancing Notifications and Updates
50:39 A Funny Anecdote
51:02 The MacBook Air Incident
55:04 Restoring from Backup
01:00:49 Final Thoughts and Thanks
615: Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth
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Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth
In this episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of boutique consultancy, highlighting the benefits of providing a personalized, high-touch service over rapid, automated responses. The conversation delves into the comparison between boutique firms and large-scale competitors, focusing on client satisfaction versus cost-saving strategies. Drawing parallels to Apple's business approach, the discussion extends to the evolution of consulting within the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of intelligent strategy over mere ticket resolutions. The conversation wraps up with practical insights into asset management, device lifecycle strategies, and the challenges and experiences of running a consultancy.
00:00 Introduction to Boutique Consultancy
01:31 The Apple Business Model as a Muse
03:14 The Role of Consulting in Managed Services
08:00 Challenges and Strategies in Client Management
09:22 Team Size and Economic Factors
12:03 Contract Structures and Pricing Strategies
21:25 Analytical Skills and Personal Background
25:51 Personal Time and Future Plans
28:36 Balancing Work and Family Life
29:13 Holiday Plans and Skiing Adventures
30:56 Generational Differences in Technology
33:25 Sustainable Business Practices
36:43 Lifecycle Management of Devices
42:01 Challenges and Strategies in Hardware Sales
47:16 The Importance of Client Relationships
49:31 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements
614: Navigating AI in IT Consulting: Insights from Michael Thomsen of Origin 84
/Navigating AI in IT Consulting: Insights from Michael Thomsen
In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts welcome Michael Thomsen of Origin 84, dialing in from Australia. Michael shares critical insights into the use of AI in IT consulting. Topics range from the pros and cons of binge-listening to tech podcasts to the practical uses of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Michael emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with human interaction, sharing examples of how AI can enhance efficiency, such as generating meeting summaries, handling complex client requests, and improving ticketing systems. The discussion also touches on the risks of data leakage, the necessity of well-defined policies, and the future implications of AI in both enhancing productivity and posing security challenges.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:36 Listener Feedback and Follow-Up
02:41 AI Tools in Daily Work
05:51 AI Integration in Business
09:08 Real-World AI Use Cases
13:52 Challenges and Best Practices with AI
23:50 AI in Education and Policy
27:22 Understanding AI Policies and Data Leakage
28:28 Balancing AI Empowerment and Security Risks
29:21 Credential Stuffing and Security Examples
30:49 Implementing Effective AI Policies
32:10 Microsoft Tools for Data Security
35:03 Challenges in Modern Security Practices
39:14 Leveraging AI for Productivity
42:09 AI in Client Communication and Ticketing
47:48 The Human Element in AI Integration
51:32 Concluding Thoughts on AI and Security
