Shows
Apkudo's PodcastNo Ports, No Problem: How CypherBlk Unlocked the Wearable Resale MarketJoin Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she welcomes Andrew Kroeger, Co-Founder of CypherBlk. Andrew reveals how his company solved what seemed impossible: testing and grading Apple Watches without a physical port. When Apple removed diagnostic ports from the Series 7, reverse logistics companies faced a crisis. Manual processes destroyed margins. Kroeger's background in data centers and cybersecurity led him to recognize the larger sustainability implications—60 million metric tons of e-waste annually. "We have to do such a better job partnering to keep up," he explains. How did CypherBlk crack the code? What role does Apkudo's platform play in s...
2026-01-0829 minApkudo's PodcastUnlocking the Network Effect with the Powered by Apkudo EcosystemWhat happens when two specialized companies share data to create a complete technology ecosystem?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she welcomes Josh Beasley. Josh serves as partner and president of both Quick Ship Brands and Early Upgrade, two companies operating within the Powered by Apkudo ecosystem. With over 20 years of combined company experience, Quick Ship specializes in high-value device remarketing while Early Upgrade processes 2 million pieces of electronic equipment monthly for end-of-life recycling. Josh explains how these complementary businesses create a complete technology lifecycle solution without compromising expertise at any stage. "Finding one com...
2025-12-0238 minApkudo's PodcastThe Art and Science of Automation ImplementationHow do you successfully implement automation solutions across 30+ countries with different regulations, logistics challenges, and cultural expectations?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she welcomes Charles Stewardson, Head of EMEA Implementation at Apkudo, who brings three decades of tech services experience to discuss the complexities of automation implementation. With roles spanning HP, Ingram Micro, and DHL, Charles offers unique insights into transforming business operations through scalable automation. "The foundation of successful automation is for everybody to understand how it's gonna change existing processes," he explains. Charles reveals how Apkudo's comprehensive playbook covers everything from log...
2025-09-0215 minApkudo's PodcastBehind the Scenes: Using Real-Time Data to Power Repair Vendor ManagementHow is real-time data keeping more phones out of landfills and in customers' hands?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she welcomes John Hebert, Executive Vice President for Technical Program Management, and Stephen Mattson, Director of Support and Training at Apkudo. The team reveals the complex world of device repair vendor management. With over 20 years in telecommunications and 18 years in mobile devices respectively, they explain how carriers manage the intricate network of OEMs, repair centers, and return facilities. "We were managing significant inventory levels through spreadsheets by email," Hebert explains, highlighting the manual chaos th...
2025-08-2122 minApkudo's PodcastHow a Tech Giant Optimized Connected Device Recovery GloballyHow can data standardization drive both operational efficiency and environmental benefits?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she welcomes Tim Esteb (Director of Customer Experience) back to the podcast to explore how one global tech enterprise revolutionized its IT asset recovery process. From warehouses filled with unused devices to a streamlined, automated system for managing returns, this social media and hardware company faced massive challenges across multiple continents. "Prior to the Apkudo platform, this all lived within email inboxes," Tim explains. Through data standardization and API integrations, they processed 40,000 devices while achieving remarkable outcomes. The...
2025-08-0715 minApkudo's PodcastBehind the Mic: Apkudo podcast becomes Second SenseWhat happens when second-life tech becomes second nature for businesses and consumers?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she introduces Second Sense, the newly rebranded podcast from Apkudo that dives deep into the complex world of mobile device supply chains and sustainable technology solutions. Allyson introduces this fresh take on device lifecycle management, exploring the intricate network behind connected devices—from logistics and diagnostics to testing, grading, and resale. The podcast tackles three fundamental questions: How does data shape supply chain decisions? What does this mean for sustainability goals? And how are experiences changing for c...
2025-07-1002 minApkudo's PodcastCleared for Takeback: Inside a Major Airline’s Device Recovery MissionWhat if your sustainability initiative could simultaneously reduce costs, increase asset recovery, and support educational opportunities for underserved communities?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she speaks with Ben Jones, Executive Vice President of Enterprise Takeback, about a transformative device recovery program implemented for a major US airline. Ben shares how they helped the airline transition from manual spreadsheets and limited visibility to a comprehensive platform solution that achieved a remarkable 97% asset recovery rate across 110,000+ devices. You’ll hear the surprising details about how innovative approaches like employee purchase programs exceeded expectations with nearly 50% adopti...
2025-04-2523 minApkudo's PodcastReshaping the Connected Device Economy"There's a huge opportunity to reclaim scarce resources through urban mining of what's inside these phones, tablets, laptops. We have to move away from the linear consumption model - take, make, waste - that we've had for 250 years." - Tony Altmann, Head of Circular Innovation at Apkudo
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she speaks with Tony Altmann, Head of Circular Innovation at Apkudo, about transforming the connected device industry through circular economy principles. Tony explains how Apkudo's platform helps customers across the supply chain—from OEMs and carriers to device processors and enterprises—recaptu...
2025-04-1134 minApkudo's PodcastBehind the Scenes: How Quality Managers Shape the Mobile Experience with Device IntelligenceHow are leading companies transforming quality management from a cost center into a strategic advantage?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she welcomes Manoj Sabhnani, Chief Operating Officer at Apkudo. With over 25 years in the wireless industry, Manoj illuminates the critical role quality managers play in determining a device's fate between its first and second life. With experience spanning carriers, OEMs, and infrastructure development, he explains how quality management directly impacts customer satisfaction, return rates, and ultimately, profitability. Manoj emphasizes that while quality departments are often viewed as cost centers, their work translates to mea...
2025-03-2830 minApkudo's PodcastSimplifying Device Recovery: How a Fortune 100 Company Boosted Sustainability and ComplianceWhat simple technology integration nudges employees to return their old devices without disrupting their workflow, and how could it save your company thousands in lost assets?
Join Apkudo’s Allyson Mitchell (VP of Sustainability) as she chats with Mariel Wilding (Sr. Customer Experience Manager) about how a Fortune 100 company enhanced its sustainability initiatives with Apkudo’s Reco software. Learn how they automated employee mobile device recovery and gained access to detailed device circularity insights for the first time. With seamless integration into Omnissa’s Workspace ONE® unified endpoint management platform, they also saw a boost in employee complian...
2025-03-1013 minApkudo's PodcastCyculus Leads a New Era in Device ProcessingCurious about why Europe lags behind the US in automated phone processing (15% vs 85%)? Hear how one company is bridging this technology gap.
Fergal Donovan, CEO and co-founder of Cyculus, joins us to discuss revolutionizing phone recycling and refurbishment through automated processing. Drawing from his 25 years of experience in the mobile industry, including significant roles at Motorola, Brightpoint, and PCS Wireless, Donovan explains how Device Processing as a Service (DPaaS) is transforming the European market. You’ll hear how Cyculus is addressing a critical gap in Europe, where only 10-15% of pre-owned phones are processed using robot...
2025-02-2021 minApkudo's PodcastTech vs. Touch: The Evolution of Cosmetic GradingHow does balancing human judgment with robotic precision revolutionize the device grading process in the secondary market?
In this episode, host Allyson Mitchell, VP of Sustainability at Apkudo, and Asa Gismervik, Apkudo’s Director Of Quality Assurance, discuss the challenges associated with cosmetic grading. The reality is that humans don't agree, which means humans and robots won't agree either. Apkudo is deploying a new alignment process to overcome the inherent limitations of subjective grading techniques to achieve greater accuracy. The conversation takes a deeper dive into this fascinating world of human-machine collaboration, exploring the pivotal role...
2024-11-1223 minApkudo's PodcastThe Network Effect: A Customer Story of TransformationIn this episode, host Allyson Mitchell, VP of Sustainability at Apkudo, dives into a compelling customer story with guest Manoj Sabhnani, the COO of Apkudo. The conversation explores the transformation of connected devices, highlighting Apkudo's innovative automated device testing solutions that simulate real-world scenarios to preemptively address issues, thereby reducing costly returns and enhancing customer satisfaction. During their discussion, Allyson and Manoj share how solving one customer’s initial challenge sparked interest from other internal stakeholders, which, in turn, expanded into a multi-faceted partnership that transformed their entire connected device operations.
Manoj emphasizes the importance of adapting to...
2024-10-0728 minApkudo's PodcastNew Product Introduction: Precision, Preparation, and Predictive DataGrant Cushny, Senior Director of Technical Delivery Management at Apkudo, takes us through his remarkable journey across continents and industries. In this episode:
0:00 Introduction and background Grant Cushny
1:09 Grant Cushny on the Connected Device Ecosystem
4:41 Significance of Q4 and Industry Impact of New Device Launches
10:36 Collaboration and Role of Returns Processors in Launches
17:10 Operating System Updates and Deviation Monitoring
23:38 Proactive Approaches and Calibration for New Devices
29:03 Key Takeaways and Common Oversights in Device Launches
32:35 The Role of Automation in Quality Assurance
2024-09-0638 minApkudo's PodcastFrom Waste to Worth: What's Next for Connected DevicesConsumer demand for sustainable products is at an all-time high, with 77% favoring eco-friendly options. In this episode, host Allyson Mitchell welcomes guest Tony Altmann, Leader of Circular Innovation at Apkudo. Allyson and Tony explore the critical role of circularity in the connected device industry and share how Apkudo delivers a sustainable solution for connected devices that benefits our customers and advances the entire industry. In the episode, you'll learn how Apkudo's innovative AI-driven platform optimizes reverse logistics processes and, in turn, helps tech giants meet their ambitious sustainability targets. The conversation delves into the complexities of impact re...
2024-07-2330 minApkudo's PodcastData Matters: Unleashing the Power Behind AI, Automation, and RoboticsAllyson Mitchell and Chad Gottesman, President of Apkudo, explore how effectively leveraging data in the connected device supply chain can help you gain a data advantage and propel your business forward. Chad and Allyson discuss a case study demonstrating how machine learning and predictive modeling can drastically reduce device theft, translating into substantial annual savings. The conversation delves into integrating fragmented internal data with external market insights to optimize device lifecycle management, sustainability, and operational efficiency. In this episode, you’ll learn about the importance of trust in the secondary market, the role of consistent cosmetic grading faci...
2024-06-2036 min
Apkudo's PodcastA Winning Strategy: Employee Purchase Programs for Corporate-Owned DevicesWhat if you could save money while being sustainable with your tech gadgets? Tim Esteb, Director of Customer Success at Apkudo, joins Apkudo’s VP of Sustainability, Allyson Mitchell, to unravel the untapped potential of employee purchase programs for connected devices. From their inception in 2017, these programs have transformed the management of remotely connected devices, gaining even more significance during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we dive into the many perks for both employees and businesses, including affordable device access for employees and impressive reductions in device breakage and repair costs. This episode also explores how em...
2024-06-0524 min