Cloud Telephony - Now's the Time

—While cloud phone may be ubiquitous, delivery mechanisms are not. Join Darren for a good look at why now is the perfect time to investigate cloud telephony. Take a tour of applications and flexibility and what it really takes to get hooked up with a system designed specifically for the way you work.

DARREN WALTERS has been in the telecommunications industry for nearly 30 years. In his current position with Nex-Tech, Darren is responsible for the development and design of customer infrastructure solutions, fiber optic networks, and VoIP communication systems. Darren also manages industry vendor relationships and provides technology consulting for clients throughout the Midwest.

Tackle Change. Enthusiasm Required.

—Our world just got changed up, and like it or not, it’s time to talk about change in the how and where we do business. Get a coffee, put your brain in open concept mode and let’s take a look at moving your business forward. BTW – the technology part is the easy stuff. Tough stuff? The people part. First—we’re talking about how change management happens between the ears. Second—how to set your team up for success, and what working virtually means in the here, the now, and the future. Lastly—scryer Steve gazes into the technological crystal ball.

STEVE RIAT has been a featured speaker for companies such as Intel, Microsoft and SonicWALL for his unique ability to bring to life the integration between business and technology. Steve leads two Kansas Technology Peer Groups and two national Technology Peer Groups. An entertaining and motivating speaker, Steve speaks and facilitates seminars on technology business growth and culture.

Keep Calm and Get Your Teams On

—Discover how to bring together clients and colleagues to collaborate more effectively in this ever-evolving virtual world we now live in. Using Microsoft Teams, we will walk you through how to organize virtual meetings, share content, and even how you can record and stream your own virtual sessions. Lastly, we will cover some basic dos and don’ts of virtual meeting etiquette.

AMANDA ROHLEDER From farm girl to techie, Amanda is no stranger to constantly evolving techniques and technology, and actually enjoys learning the how’s and why’s behind them. Amanda is a native of Kansas and a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Information Networking and Telecommunications. She began her career at Nex-Tech in 2004 in customer service before moving into business sales in 2012 where she currently is the business account executive for Ellis and Rush counties. With a strong passion for leadership development and professional growth, Amanda is also a Kansas Leadership Center Champion, an active Ambassador, and on the Board for the Hays Chamber of Commerce.

KRIS FAIR Originally from Southwest Kansas, Kris joined the Nex-Tech Team as an Inside Sales Representative in 2008. A few years later, he took over the Southwest Kansas Territory for the Business Technology Group. Specializing in ultramodern technology solutions, Kris enjoys helping clients define and fulfill their technology needs.

Your Profile in the Threat Landscape

Over the last 20 years, the one constant in cyber security is change, with this exception, bad guys will always be bad and they will always be a threat to the safety of your data. In the here and now, there are a ton of ways bad guys can threaten your business, and when one way gets exposed, they’ll come up with another. Tune in to Your Profile in the Threat Landscape hosted by Shannon. Get a front row virtual seat for the 411 on what you need to do to protect your business, your employees and your livelihood from the bad guys.

SHANNON ROTHCHILD has been partying in the IT industry since 1999. Shannon is an account manager with Nex-Tech with a passion for keeping you and your business secure, happy, and healthy.

Born and Bred Remote: Electronic Access Control and Surveillance

Securing facilities and managing staff access remotely is more important than ever. Join Nate Rohleder for a close look at the must-do list to successfully use electronic access control to secure your remote facilities and remote workforce 24/7. While you’re at it, take a journey into the world of video surveillance and learn how keeping a watchful "eye" on your business in a remote world is just as important and being there.

NATE ROHLEDER is a native of Hays, Kansas and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing and Management from Fort Hays State University. As a Security Solutions Representative for Nex-Tech, he works with businesses to pinpoint their biggest concerns by designing video surveillance, electronic access control, and alarm systems. With 10 years of experience and a true passion for what he does, he is an expert in the fast paced security industry.

The New Kids on the Block: EDR and SIEM

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity technology that refers to the capabilities that move endpoint protection from reactive to proactive. Organizations investing in EDR tools are purposefully moving from an ‘incident response’ mentality to one of ‘continuous monitoring’ in search of incidents that they know are constantly occurring. A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform centrally collects data from multiple devices on your network, including your existing security appliances. Through an advanced correlation engine, it proactively identifies security events not otherwise detected by standalone security technology. This session will provide a demo of both tools and show how Nex-Tech can help elevate your security to the next level.

LOREN VONLINETL is a sales Engineer at Nex-Tech, designing network and technology solutions. He was born in Victoria, Kansas, and grew up in a dairy, wheat and cattle family. Loren graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science Education. He taught Cisco Computer Networking at Hays High for seven years and assisted in the integration of technology into the classroom, training staff on technology and best practices in education. After a decade at USD 489 as a teacher and technology administrator, Loren took a position at Nex-Tech, initially as an education account specialist. Loren’s passion for all things tech and making it work for people led him to his current role.  

Crunch Time: Keep Your Customers Engaged Virtually

The way consumers purchase products, interact with businesses, and navigate through their entire customer journey will forever be different. While navigating through these changes, it’s important to adjust marketing efforts and adapt to the new normal. Learn how to enhance a website, leverage e-commerce, capitalize on video and develop a solid social media plan.

MEGAN KEISWETTER works directly with businesses to formulate custom marketing plans that drive sales. With 18 years of experience and a lifelong passion for marketing, she is an expert in the ever-changing advertising industry. Megan is a native of Kansas and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Leadership.

Wickedly Effective Tips: Own Social Media

In an ever-changing social media landscape, finding new and relevant ways to engage customers is what drives business. Hear some great Instagram and Facebook stories that spotlight how strong, well-thought out and well-placed social media strategies are key to painting an accurate picture of who you are. Learn how to create a presence that is more personal, more consistent, and puts your best foot forward in defining your brand face. Some specifics include: Next-level Facebook ads, what those look like, some downright real action words about what makes advertising stand out from the rest, and because not everything has to cost an arm and a leg, a list of favorite free tools. 

AUBREE BROYLES is the in-house expert for social media and digital marketing at Nex-Tech, and is certified with Facebook Blueprint and Google AdWords. In her 10 years with Nex-Tech, Aubree has gained pertinent cross-functional experience working with customer sales, media, marketing and video production. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Fort Hays State University in 2016 and has been adding to her marketing and advertising skills ever since.

Technology Chat Room

Sometimes you just need expert advice. Or a sounding board on what's happening in the industry. In our Technology Chat Room you can get both! Mike Pollock, COO, and Allan Reiter, Network Operations Supervisor, will host you and all your questions and topics! Think networks, best practices, industry trends, tech strategy, NIST, hiring, running your organization's IT and more! With over 65 years of combined experience in the industry they have a few nuggets of wisdom to share!