Welcome to Strategic Insights, a podcast brought to you by Strategic Information Group, a 30-year leader in the enterprise software space. Hosted by Vice President of Sales Andrew Makl, this podcast will educate you on the problems businesses face today, and introduce you to the exceptional people who use the power of enterprise solutions to solve them.
On this episode of Strategic Insights, host Andrew Makl sits down with John Schmidt, VP of Managed Services and Security, to explore the evolution of Strategic’s TotalCare — a holistic, scalable support solution. They trace the journey from fragmented services like application, infrastructure, and EDI support to a single, unified offering that clients can trust for any need, no matter the platform.TotalCare stands out by offering proactive value: structured health checks, business process reviews, and a robust library of training videos. The conversation also touches on the internal security measures that protect client systems, and the rise of Strategic’s Defense Cloud in North America. Most powerfully, clients report smoother operations, faster response times, and deep peace of mind — no more 3 a.m. crisis calls, just a clear path to focus on strategic growth and employee well-being.
00:19 Introduction to TotalCare01:33 A Day in the Life of John Schmidt02:44 The Evolution of Managed Services04:36 What Makes TotalCare Unique06:07 Scalability and Customization of TotalCare07:50 Transformational Impact on Clients09:17 Client Feedback and Peace of Mind
Show LinksLearn more about Andrew and Strategic's work: strategic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategicinformationgroup/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategicinformationgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-information-group/
6 Aug 2025
33: From Shop Floor to Top Floor: The Fuuz Strategic Advantage
On this episode, Andrew Makl speaks with Craig Scott, CEO of Fuuz, about transforming manufacturing technology. Craig shares how Fuuz was born from his frustrations as a service provider dealing with disconnected systems. Fuuz bridges the gap between the shop floor and top floor, offering a hybrid platform that simplifies deployments, blends pre-built solutions with customization, and keeps operations running even during internet outages.As Fuuz focuses on upmarket manufacturers, it tackles challenges like aging workforces and safety concerns by integrating AI, machine vision, and connected systems. Its low-code/no-code architecture empowers businesses to tailor solutions without heavy coding, future-proofing operations. With input from its customer advisory board, Fuuz continues adding advanced features like AI-driven tools for non-technical users, helping manufacturers improve data strategy and accelerate transformation. Visit Fuuz.com for more information!
00:19 Introduction to Fuuz and Craig Scott01:50 The Inspiration Behind Fuuz03:14 Evolving Market Needs05:27 Operational Models and Safety07:50 Fuuz as a Comprehensive Platform10:01 Future-Proofing Operations12:23 Customer Advisory Board Insights14:53 Data Strategy and AI Integration16:14 The Future of Manufacturing with Fuuz
Show LinksLearn more about Andrew and Strategic's work: strategic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategicinformationgroup/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategicinformationgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-information-group/
9 Jul 2025
32: Turning Quality Into a Competitive Edge: Strategic's Path to Growth
This week on Strategic Insights, host Andrew Makl welcomes Dave Rendel, Senior Solution Architect at Strategic Information Group, to explore why Quality Management Systems (QMS) should never follow a one-size-fits-all model. Dave explains how the best QMS solutions align with each company’s specific goals and challenges, whether cutting recalls or improving delivery performance. Together, they highlight why Strategic’s approach starts with understanding client needs and designing a system focused on long-term success, not just short-term fixes.A strong QMS is more than an operations tool; it is a key sales and retention advantage. Dave and Andrew share how it creates confidence during audits and RFPs, strengthens supplier partnerships, and boosts employee satisfaction. In times of market uncertainty, companies that stay agile and improve their systems are best positioned to attract top talent, win loyal customers, and secure reliable suppliers.
00:18 Introduction to QMS Solutions01:46 Understanding Client Needs04:22 Defining ‘Best of Breed’ Solutions07:19 Quality as a Sales Tool10:47 Building Relationships Through Quality12:40 The Impact of Quality on Employee Retention14:02 Navigating Economic Uncertainty17:10 Case Study: Kia’s Transformation
Show LinksLearn more about Andrew and Strategic's work: strategic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategicinformationgroup/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategicinformationgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-information-group/
[…] On scalability and customization, what are the key advantages on scalability that total care helps provide our clients with? Yeah. We designed total care to scale up or down, really depending on your face, the client's face, whether you're in hyper growth or maybe stabilizing your operations. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
