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AI is moving from experimentation to practical business outcomes—and creating significant new opportunities across the channel. In this episode of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, host Frank Vitagliano speaks with Maurits Tichelman, general manager of Intel’s EMEA partner sales organization, about the rapid evolution of these technologies and distribution's role in their successful adoption. Tichelman explains why successful AI strategies must begin with clearly defined outcomes rather than technology alone, and how the channel can take advantage of these opportunities. He also highlights the readiness issues that can stall deployments—from data quality and infrastructure to security, sovereignty and regulatory compliance. Distributors are the orchestrators in this ecosystem, connecting silicon providers, ISVs, cybersecurity specialists, systems integrators and solution providers. He suggests that their local knowledge and ability to scale and help assemble complete solutions make them critical to helping customers navigate complexity and adopt next-generation technologies. The complexity and increasing business value of AI creates true opportunities for the IT community—with the channel sitting firmly in the center. How can local AI processing improve security, reduce latency and control costs today? Why are data readiness, infrastructure, governance and compliance essential to successful deployments? Check out Episode 79 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC for a forward-looking conversation on these topics and more.

In this episode of Beyond Distribution, host Frank Vitagliano speaks with Lynn Smurthwaite-Murphy, CEO of Plugable, about why AI should be treated as a business transformation and not just another technology deployment. Drawing on her experience across the channel, distribution and vendor communities, she explains why organizations must have executive ownership, as well as clear outcomes, governance and communications to create measurable value from their AI investments. Smurthwaite-Murphy also shares the AI journey for her company as they began adopting the technologies out of necessity. What led the organization to begin using these solutions as part of their long-term vision? How did grassroots experimentation and practical use cases boost productivity and drive other positive outcomes? This conversation explores those questions and highlights the rise of local and hybrid AI models. They also take a “deep dive” into channel opportunities, with emphasis on business consultation over a more technology-driven approach. The channel has become a transformative machine with AI following many of the same principles as other innovations, only faster and broader. Check out the complete conversation in this insightful new episode.

🎙️ 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 | 𝗔𝗜, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 As AI becomes more embedded across the technology channel, its impact goes far beyond tools and automation. It is also changing the skills, opportunities and leadership paths that will shape the industry’s future. In Episode 77 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC, guest host Kavita May speaks with Julie Simpson, Founder and CEO of ResourceIT Consulting, and Jacquie Rives, Senior Director of Women of the Channel Community and Programs at The Channel Company. Together, they discuss responsible AI adoption, the growing importance of human-centered leadership skills and the need to ensure equal access to AI tools, training and high-visibility opportunities. The episode also provides a preview of an important topic on the agenda at the upcoming Women of the Channel Europe event. 🎧 Watch Episode 77: https://lnkd.in/es6MgedF #beyonddistribution #AI #podcast #channel #womenintech

In this episode of Beyond Distribution, guest host Kavita May of GTDC is joined by Julie Simpson, Founder and CEO of ResourceiT Consulting, and Jacquie Rives, Senior Director, Women of the Channel Community & Programs at The Channel Company, for a timely conversation on how artificial intelligence is reshaping leadership, opportunity and inclusion. This conversation is a preview of a key topic of the upcoming Women of the Channel Europe event. The group explores the opportunities and threats associated with AI and the increasing value of human-centered leadership skills such as judgment, empathy, communication, and adaptability, as well as why women need equal access to AI tools, training, mentorship and high-visibility projects. Julie and Jacquie also share practical perspectives on responsible AI adoption. How do prompting and questioning AI outputs factor into the equation? What are the risks of bias and misuse? Which new leadership paths (i.e., customer insight, automation, community engagement, ecosystem orchestration, partner enablement) offer the most promise? Their messages are clear: organizations that benefit most from AI will be those that combine innovative technology with diverse perspectives, inclusive leadership and a commitment to helping women lead from the start—not just participate after the fact. Hear why and gain other valuable insights on this important topic in episode 77 of Beyond Distribution with GTDC.

In Episode #76 of Beyond Distribution, GTDC CEO Frank Vitagliano is joined by Larry Walsh, CEO and Chief Analyst at Channelnomics, to discuss the findings of the GTDC's and Channelnomics latest research on the evolving role of distribution in today's technology go-to-market models. Their conversation explores how AI, cybersecurity, cloud and other emerging technologies are reshaping the channel, why customers increasingly need guidance and business outcome support, and how distributors are helping bridge the growing gap between innovation and execution.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 The Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC), in partnership with Channelnomics, has released a new research report: The Evolving Role of Distribution in Technology Go-To-Market Models. The report examines how distribution has evolved from a traditional channel intermediary into a strategic operating platform, helping vendors and partners scale, strengthen support and navigate the growing complexity of AI, cybersecurity and modern technology ecosystems. Download the report: https://lnkd.in/gxHRjc5Z #itdistribution #channel #AI #technology #research