Industrial Talk Media

Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Brian Brzinski, Founder/CEO at AMSS Consulting about "Digital Transformation and need for Qualified Sherpas for the Journey".

Scott MacKenzie interviews Brian Brzinski, CEO of Advanced Management Systems and Services (AMSS), at the Insight event in San Antonio, Texas. Brzinski discusses his journey from a steel mill laborer to founding AMSS 14 years ago, which provides consulting services to manufacturers and facility managers. He emphasizes the importance of pragmatic approaches to AI and IoT implementation, helping clients optimize their systems without unnecessary expenditure. Brzinski also highlights the challenges of staffing and training in the industry, offering solutions like six-month trial periods for staffing. He concludes by discussing the future of AI in automating decision-making processes and the necessity of cybersecurity in digital transformation.

Action Items
[ ] Connect with Brian Brzinski on LinkedIn.
[ ] Reach out to AMSS through their website at AMSSconsulting.com or by emailing Brian directly at B.brzinski@AMSSconsulting.com
[ ] Participate in AMSS's monthly roundtable discussions to hear from industry experts.
Outline
Introduction and Welcome
Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast and its focus on industry professionals.
Scott thanks the listeners for their support and highlights the importance of industry professionals.
The podcast is broadcasting live from the Insight event in San Antonio, Texas.
Scott introduces Brian Brzinski, the founder of Advanced Management Systems and Services, and sets the stage for the discussion.
Brian Brzinski's Background
Brian shares his background, starting as a laborer in a steel mill in 1994.
He worked his way up to a journeyman electrician and then to a director in a $5 billion company.
Brian founded his consulting firm 14 years ago to support manufacturers and facility managers.
His firm has worked with clients like Blue Apron and GE Appliances, focusing on continuous improvement and pragmatic approaches.
The Aha Moment and Company Vision
Brian discusses the aha moment that led him to start his consulting firm.
He noticed a gap in communication between technical and upper management levels.
Brian's firm helps clients optimize their processes and make them actionable.
The focus is on tailoring solutions to specific needs rather than a shotgun approach.
Digital Transformation and AI
Scott and Brian discuss the importance of digital transformation and AI in manufacturing.
Brian explains how his firm helps clients optimize their AI and IoT systems.
The goal is to avoid buying unnecessary sensors and to ensure data is actionable.
Brian emphasizes the importance of training AI to be more efficient and effective.
Staffing and Training Challenges
Brian highlights the challenges of staffing and training in the industry.
His firm offers a six-month trial period for staffing, with a guarantee to replace employees if they don't work out.
Training is offered in various formats, including on-site and online webinars.
The focus is on making training relevant to specific roles and needs within the organization.
Cybersecurity and Cloud Solutions
Scott and Brian discuss the importance of cybersecurity in digital transformation.
Brian explains the benefits and challenges of on-prem and cloud-based solutions.
The focus is on maintaining security and ensuring data is protected.
Brian emphasizes the need for IT involvement in security assessments and protocols.
Future of AI and Reporting
Brian predicts the future of AI will involve more robust learning and better reporting.
The goal is to automate responses and unburden technical resources.
Brian emphasizes the importance of making data actionable and efficient.
The focus is on making labor more effective and efficient through AI and automation.
Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Scott and Brian discuss the importance of connecting with industry experts and staying informed.
Brian provides his contact information and encourages listeners to reach out.
Scott thanks Brian for his insights and encourages listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn.
The podcast wraps up with a reminder of the importance of digital transformation and collaboration.

If interested in being on the Industrial Talk show, simply contact us and let's have a quick conversation.

Finally, get your exclusive free access to the Industrial Academy and a series on “Why You Need To Podcast” for Greater Success in 2023. All links designed for keeping you current in this rapidly changing Industrial Market. Learn! Grow! Enjoy!

BRIAN BRZINSKI'S CONTACT INFORMATION:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbrzinski/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amssconsulting/

Company Website: https://amssconsulting.com/

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Scott MacKenzie hosts a podcast discussing the Human Success Platform from Zensai with guests Robin Daniels and Andy Roberts. The platform aims to address the 70% employee dissatisfaction rate by focusing on continuous learning, high-performance culture, and employee engagement. Key features include weekly check-ins, AI-driven feedback, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams. The platform allows for flexible goal setting, AI-generated training courses, and real-time performance tracking. Implementation is quick, typically taking a few days, and the platform supports both compliance and development training. The goal is to enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational success.

Action Items
[ ] Reach out to Robin Daniels (robin@sensei.com) or Andy Roberts (LinkedIn) to learn more about the Zensai Human Success Platform.
[ ] Explore the Zensai platform and its features, such as the weekly check-ins and AI-powered learning content creation.
[ ] Consider implementing the Zensai platform to improve employee engagement, retention, and alignment with company goals within your organization.
Outline
Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industrial innovations and trends.
Scott mentions the podcast's goal to highlight industrial professionals and their contributions.
The episode is part of a webcast series, specifically focusing on the Human Success Platform from Sensei.
Scott introduces the guests, Robin Daniels and Andy Roberts, and sets the stage for discussing the platform.
Overview of the Human Success Platform
Scott describes the Human Success Platform as a solution to ensure employees are aligned and productive.
The platform aims to make employees smarter, stronger, and faster, especially in a rapidly changing world.
Scott shares a personal note about becoming a grandfather and his excitement about it.
Scott promotes the importance of having a podcast for digital marketing and encourages listeners to consider starting one.
Introduction of Robin and Andy
Scott welcomes Robin and Andy to the podcast and mentions their roles at Sensei.
Robin introduces himself as the Chief Business Officer at Sensei and explains the motivation behind the Human Success Platform.
Robin highlights the issue of employee dissatisfaction and the need for continuous learning and skill development.
Andy introduces himself as the EVP of Product and explains his previous role in founding Weekly 10, which contributed to the platform's development.
Core Principles of the Human Success Platform
Robin outlines the three core principles of the platform: continuous learning, high performance culture, and employee engagement.
The platform provides tools for continuous learning, goal setting, and performance tracking.
Robin emphasizes the importance of clarity in goals and the need for regular check-ins to ensure alignment.
The platform aims to create a sense of belonging and purpose among employees, leading to better performance and retention.
Weekly Check-Ins and AI Integration
Andy explains the concept of weekly check-ins and their importance in providing real-time feedback and insights.
The platform uses AI to guide managers in providing effective feedback and support.
Weekly check-ins are designed to be reflective and qualitative, encouraging employees to share their experiences and challenges.
The platform also includes peer-to-peer recognition, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Implementation and Flexibility of the Platform
Andy demonstrates how easy it is to implement the platform within the Microsoft ecosystem.
The platform is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, reducing the need for additional software.
The platform allows for flexibility in setting and adjusting goals, aligning with the dynamic nature of business needs.
The platform supports both compliance training and developmental training, ensuring employees have the skills they need to succeed.
Creating Custom Training Content
Andy shows how the platform can create custom training courses using AI.
The platform supports the creation of quizzes and other knowledge tests to ensure effective learning.
The platform allows for the integration of both off-the-shelf content and custom content created by the organization.
The AI-driven course creation process significantly reduces the time and effort required to develop training content.

ROBIN DANIELS' CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robingdaniels/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humansuccess/
Company Website: https://zensai.com/
ROBIN DANIELS' CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyp-roberts/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at FABTECH and talking to Stacey Jaeger and Josh Erickson with FlexTrades about "On-demand workforce manufacturing solutions".

Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industrial professionals at the FABTECH conference in Orlando, Florida. Stacy, Director of Marketing, and Josh, Public Engagement and PR, from Flex Trades, discuss their company's role in bridging manufacturing workforce gaps. Flex Trades deploys skilled technicians across the U.S. to fill temporary needs, offering a consultative approach to understand client requirements and provide the best fit. They emphasize the importance of character, commitment, and continuous training for their technicians. The company, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has not yet ventured into international markets but focuses on capturing more U.S. market share. Contact information for Flex Trades is available on their website and social media platforms.

Action Items
[ ] Explore opportunities for international expansion of Flex Trades' services.
[ ] Promote Flex Trades' services and connect with the company through their website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Both Stacey and Josh express their enthusiasm for the conference and the importance of showcasing the cool and innovative aspects of the manufacturing industry.
Overview of Flex Trades and Its Unique Offerings
Stacey explains that Flex Trades specializes in manufacturing workforce solutions, deploying highly skilled technicians across the US.
The company bridges production gaps for manufacturers, providing technicians who can hit the ground running and work for as long as needed.
Flex Trades has a national footprint, allowing them to deploy technicians from various locations to projects anywhere in the US.
The company's unique model allows manufacturers to fill temporary needs without relying solely on local talent.
Consultancy Process and Client Engagement
Josh describes the consultancy process Flex Trades uses to understand client needs and match them with the right technicians.
The process involves a detailed interview with the client to identify specific technical requirements and the type of technician needed.
Flex Trades then matches these requirements with their bench of technicians, ensuring a good fit for both the client and the technician.
The company handles travel logistics, ensuring technicians can work on projects across the country.
Vetting and Training of Technicians
Stacey outlines the vetting process for technicians, emphasizing the importance of finding the right skill sets and character traits.
Flex Trades uses specific interview questions and character assessments to ensure technicians have the necessary skills and are a good fit for the job.
Josh highlights the importance of technicians having the right personality and being able to integrate into new environments.
The company offers training reimbursement programs to help technicians upgrade their skills and stay current with industry developments.
Incidental and Formal Training Programs
Stacey explains that technicians often receive incidental training on the job, learning new skills and processes as they work on different projects.
Flex Trades also provides formal training programs focused on safety, soft skills, and leadership development.
The tuition reimbursement program encourages technicians to pursue additional certifications and training, enhancing their career opportunities.
The company aims to flip the paradigm, viewing these roles as careers rather than just jobs, and supports technicians in their professional growth.
Future Plans and International Expansion
Scott inquires about Flex Trades' plans for international expansion, with Josh and Stacy mentioning the company's focus on capturing more market share in the US.
The company has not yet ventured into international projects due to the complexities involved, but they are open to exploring these opportunities in the future.
Flex Trades is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, highlighting the company's long-standing presence in the industry.
The company is committed to continuing its growth and innovation within the US market before expanding internationally.

STACEY JAEGER'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyjaeger/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flextrades/
Company Website: https://www.flextrades.com/
JOSH ERICKSON'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshericksonnyl/

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Scott MacKenzie hosts an industrial podcast discussing data analytics and AI with Charlie Boyle, VP of Advanced Solutions at Accruent. Boyle highlights the importance of data in decision-making, emphasizing the need for automated solutions to manage the vast amounts of data being generated. He discusses Accruent's mission to unify the built environment through IoT and advanced analytics, focusing on predictive maintenance, energy management, and space intelligence. Boyle also mentions the use of generative AI to assist aging technicians and improve maintenance efficiency. The conversation underscores the transformative power of data and AI in enhancing business operations and problem-solving.

Action Items
[ ] Explore using generative AI to document maintenance technician knowledge and provide guidance to junior technicians.
[ ] Investigate using sensor data and analytics to audit energy usage and bills, and automate HVAC controls.
[ ] Connect with Charlie Boyle on LinkedIn to further discuss Accruent's data analytics and AI initiatives.
Outline
Accruent Insights Event Introduction
Scott highlights the importance of data and AI in the industrial sector, setting the stage for the discussion.
The event, Accruent Insights, is taking place in San Antonio, Texas, with a focus on problem-solving and customer obsession.
Scott introduces Charlie Boyle, VP of Advanced Solutions at Accruent, who will discuss data analytics and AI.
Charlie Boyle's Background and Experience
Charlie Boyle shares his background, including his role as VP and General Manager of Advanced Solutions at Accruent.
He has over 25 years of experience in advanced analytics and data science, previously serving as Chief Data Scientist at Honeywell and Chief Analytics Officer at a telematics company.
Charlie discusses his journey and the various analytic use cases he has encountered in different industries and verticals.
Scott and Charlie reflect on the rapid advancements in AI and generative AI, particularly with the advent of tools like ChatGPT.
The Role of Data and AI in Business Efficiency
Charlie explains the importance of data in today's business environment, emphasizing the need for automated solutions to manage large data sets.
He discusses the concept of decision intelligence, which involves turning data into actionable insights.
Scott and Charlie delve into the challenges of managing large amounts of data and the role of AI in generating actionable insights.
They discuss the potential of AI in various industries, including retail and HVAC, and the importance of proactive maintenance.
Accruent's Mission and Data Platform
Charlie outlines Accruent's mission to unify the built environment through IoT and advanced solutions.
He explains the role of Accruent's data platform in managing reporting, business intelligence, and insights generation.
Accruent's IoT analytics platform connects sensors to assets, providing telemetry data and predictive models to solve business challenges.
Scott and Charlie discuss the importance of proactive maintenance in industries like retail, where preventing food spoilage can save significant costs.
Evaluating AI Use Cases and Customer Validation
Charlie describes Accruent's "dream process" for evaluating AI use cases, which includes problem validation, customer validation, and business model validation.
He mentions the partnership with Ford's Data Science Center of Excellence (Fort) in building rapid prototypes and MVPs.
The focus is on creating solutions that provide real value to customers, distinguishing between "nice to have" and essential solutions.
Scott emphasizes the importance of AI in providing actionable insights without requiring users to search for information.
Future Use Cases and Generative AI
Charlie highlights three primary use cases for Accruent: space intelligence, occupancy analytics, and predictive maintenance.
He discusses the importance of generative AI in assisting aging technicians and transferring knowledge to the younger generation.
Scott and Charlie explore the potential of generative AI in providing accurate and actionable answers for maintenance tasks.
They discuss the challenges of validating generative AI solutions and ensuring accuracy in responses.
Energy Management and HVAC Use Cases
Charlie introduces energy management as a key area for Accruent, focusing on auditing energy bills and reducing costs.
He explains how sensors can be used to compare meter readings with energy bills, leading to significant savings for clients.
Scott and Charlie discuss the potential of energy management in controlling HVAC systems and optimizing energy usage.

CHARLIE BOYLE'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesboyle2/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortive/posts/?feedView=all
Company Website: https://www.fortive.com/

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Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating its success and encouraging listeners to share their stories and technology. He introduces Preston Johnson from Cutsforth, who discusses their asset management platform, Insight CM. Insight CM integrates various condition monitoring technologies, such as vibration, lubrication, and thermography, to provide a comprehensive view of equipment health. Preston emphasizes the importance of understanding asset failure modes and leveraging data to predict and plan maintenance. He highlights the benefits of workforce optimization, increased uptime, and reduced maintenance costs. Roadblocks include resource constraints, IT integration, and leadership buy-in. Preston provides contact information for further inquiries.

Action Items
[ ] Understand the client's critical assets and failure modes.
[ ] Identify the appropriate sensors to detect developing defects.
[ ] Integrate the Insight CM platform with the client's existing data sources and systems.
[ ] Develop prognostic capabilities to predict remaining useful life of equipment.
[ ] Provide a business case and justification for implementing the Insight CM solution.
Outline
Introduction and Overview of Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and trends.
Scott thanks listeners for their support, highlighting the podcast's success and its mission to celebrate leaders in the industrial sector.
Scott discusses the exciting developments expected in 2025, including innovation, technology, and solutions in various industries.
The podcast aims to promote companies passionate about success and to provide a platform for sharing insights and solutions.
Introduction of Preston Johnson and Cutsforth
Scott introduces Preston Johnson from Cutsforth, focusing on asset management and the importance of managing assets effectively.
Scott reflects on the success of the previous year, mentioning the numerous interviews with industry leaders and the global broadcasts.
Scott encourages listeners to create and share their stories, emphasizing the importance of amplifying messages through the Industrial Talk platform.
The podcast aims to support listeners in their success by providing a platform for sharing technology and solutions.
Preston Johnson's Background and Cutsforth's History
Preston Johnson shares his extensive experience in the industrial instrumentation business, including his time at National Instruments.
Preston discusses his journey in condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, starting in the early 2000s.
Cutsforth's acquisition of the Insight CM software in 2022 is highlighted, expanding their business from generator support to a predictive maintenance platform.
Preston provides a brief history of Cutsforth and their involvement in various industries, including power generation and generator support.
Insight CM Software and Its Unique Features
Preston explains the vision behind Insight CM, focusing on leveraging multiple condition monitoring technologies.
The software was developed in response to a large power generation company's need for fleet-wide condition monitoring across various technologies.
Insight CM's ability to digitize and compare trends from different technologies, such as vibration, lubrication, and temperature, is emphasized.
The software aims to identify defects in equipment by collaborating and comparing data from different monitoring technologies.
Implementation of Insight CM and Typical Steps
Preston outlines the typical implementation steps for Insight CM, starting with understanding the assets in the plant.
The importance of identifying failure modes and selecting appropriate sensors to detect defects is discussed.
Preston explains the process of understanding the performance and defects in equipment through various sensors and data acquisition systems.
The software's ability to normalize and trend data from multiple sensors to provide actionable insights is highlighted.
Challenges and Benefits of Implementing Insight CM
Preston discusses the challenges clients face in justifying the investment in continuous monitoring systems.
The potential benefits of workforce optimization and increased equipment uptime are highlighted.
The importance of leadership buy-in and the integration of IT and OT systems to support the implementation is emphasized.
Preston mentions the potential for reduced maintenance costs and improved safety through early detection and mitigation of defects.
Prognostics and Predictive Maintenance

PRESTON JOHNSON'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestontoddjohnson/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cutsforth/
Company Website: https://www.cutsforth.com/

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