Shows
AFSA Extra Credit PodcastThe Future of Dealer Commercial Lending: Transforming Challenges into GrowthIn this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, host Dan Bucherer chats with Brian Koprowski, CEO of DataScan, which works with finance companies on wholesale financing and inventory risk management across the entire loan lifecycle. See that title? Kind of right in the wheelhouse. Brian and Dan touch on how the commercial lending landscape has evolved, some of the challenges associated traditional lending models and the value that integrated systems can provide. They also talk briefly about the role of AI, proactive risk management with predictive analytics and how to strengthen dealer relationships alongside those of...2025-02-1221 min
PBM on the RocksPharmacy Software, Fair Business Practices, & Advocating with a Single VoiceHow can independent pharmacies thrive in a landscape dominated by consolidation and inequitable practices? In this episode, we explore the critical symbiosis between independent pharmacies and independent software providers. We’re joined by Kevin Minassian, President of Datascan Pharmacy Software, and Sarah Callioras, Datascan’s Vice President, to discuss the challenges facing the pharmacy sector and the power of supporting independent vendors.From alarming trends like private equity buyouts of software providers to the parallels they share with PBM industry consolidation, our guests unpack how these practices are weakening the pharmacy industry. They passionately advocate for unity amon...2024-12-0636 min
Tech LegaciesClimbing the IT Ladder: Tips from a Leading CIO - Gerry Mecca | E005Gerry Mecca is the former CIO at Tropicana, DATASCAN, Cadbury Schweppes, and Vice President of IT at Keurig Dr Pepper.He is now the Principal at The EKG Group LLC where he capitalizes on deep business and information technology consulting and advisory experience to achieve operational excellence, effective organizational design, predictable ERP and CRM deployment, affordable strategic sourcing, practical IT strategic planning, and timely project execution.Connect with Gerry Mecca on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrymeccaWant to build your authority and brand as...2023-09-2036 min
Pharmacy Podcast NetworkIndependent Pharmacy: Strength in Unity | PUTTcastFrom pharmacy software to pharmacies themselves - the thing that sets independently owned small business healthcare apart from multi billion dollar corporations is an inextinguishable passion for their patients.
Listen in as co-hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young take a deep dive into what it takes to make independent pharmacy successful with special guests Kevin Minassian & Sarah Callioras of Datascan Pharmacy Software. From ensuring patient satisfaction and pharmacy staff happiness, to alternative revenue streams and openly joining forces; when it comes to PBM abuse of the system, shared goals and a unified front are the on...2023-05-231h 01
PUTTcast | Pharmacists United for Truth and TransparencyIndependent Pharmacy: Strength in Unity | PUTTcastFrom pharmacy software to pharmacies themselves - the thing that sets independently owned small business healthcare apart from multi billion dollar corporations is an inextinguishable passion for their patients.
Listen in as co-hosts Monique Whitney and Lauren Young take a deep dive into what it takes to make independent pharmacy successful with special guests Kevin Minassian & Sarah Callioras of Datascan Pharmacy Software. From ensuring patient satisfaction and pharmacy staff happiness, to alternative revenue streams and openly joining forces; when it comes to PBM abuse of the system, shared goals and a unified front are the on...2023-05-231h 01
Keeping CountCurrent trends in Retail for 20232023-02-2800 minKeeping CountThe Advancement of RFID Adoption and Implementation in Retail2023-02-2800 minKeeping CountLabor Shortage at the Retail Store Level2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountHow can RFID Technology Remedy Retail Supply Shortages and Theft?2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountRetail Display Compliance as a Primary Use Case for Implementing RFID2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountCounting Merchandise More Often Improves Inventory Record Accuracy2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountImprove your ROI by Implementing RFID Technology in Retail Stores2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountThe Implementation of RFID Technology into Quick Service Restaurants2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountThe Trend of Large Retailers Implementing RFID Technology Store-Wide2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountWhat Segment of the Retail Market Sees the Most Success by Implementing RFID Technology?2023-02-2801 minKeeping CountRFID Roundtable2023-01-2442 min
Keeping CountHow to Successfully Deploy RFID in RetailThough the benefits of RFID are plentiful — including inventory record accuracy, display compliance, and futuristic uses of technology to improve the customer experience — Billings said retailers must ask the question: Is RFID the right fit for the company? Metals and liquids still pose a challenge for RFID tags and while there are workarounds, this is still something to consider. So, what justifies a ROI for RFID? Is it the checkout experience? Auto replenishment from back to front? Overall customer experience? Billings recognized that while retailers know their business, some of these benefits can be h...2022-09-1310 min
Keeping CountRFID’s Exciting Impact in RetailStores often wonder: Why do shoppers leave without a purchase? According to Billings, there are four main reasons:1. Items are out of stock.2. There’s no one to help.3. It takes too much time to finalize the shop.4. It’s too impersonal of an experience.The solution? RFID. RFID has been shown to improve the out-of-stock problem because it provides real-time stock levels, which is crucial to selling items at the omnichannel level. Additionally, supply management becomes faster with RFID and allows more time for the assistant/employee to help...2022-08-1610 min
Keeping CountHerb’s Hot Takes: RFID’s Role in Supply Chain ManagementRemember the toilet paper scarcity? Yeah. That. What if we told you that could have been avoided or minimized? In the third episode out of this five-part series, Herb Billings, vice president of technology strategy at Datascan, dove into the effects radio frequency identification (RFID) has on the supply chain with host of Herb’s Hot Takes, Tyler Kern. RFID has been around since WWII and, along with other drivers, provides inventory record accuracy at more affordable rates. Clearly, having this feature during the pandemic toilet paper fiasco would have helped companies prepare for the demand surge an...2022-07-1308 min
Keeping CountWhat are the main drivers prompting retailers to implement RFID?In the second episode of this five-part series, Datascan’s Vice President of Technology Strategy, Herb Billings, spoke to host of Herb’s Hot Takes, Tyler Kern, about the benefits of using radio frequency identification (RFID). Billings first discussed the four main use cases of implementing RFID: “It improves inventory record accuracy. It reduces manual labor time around inventory management tasks. You can implement it for anti-theft, and then display compliance — making sure you have one of everything on the floor.” With the barcode system, most retailers are only checking stock biannually at best, which is becomin...2022-06-1511 min
Keeping CountRFID History and How It’s Used TodayWhile many have likely not heard of radio frequency identification (RFID), it’s likely most consumers are using it now. For instance, the newer ‘tap’ credit card feature — the one that allows you to skip the fuss of inserting your card into the credit card reader — is a more recent example of RFID technology. Datascan’s Vice President of Technology Strategy, Herb Billings, explained the current and future use of RFID technology to host of Herb’s Hot Takes, Tyler Kern, in part one of this five-part podcast series. RFID is a “chip with a globally unique identifier in it...2022-05-1608 minKeeping CountRFID History and How It’s Used TodayWhile many have likely not heard of radio frequency identification (RFID), it’s likely most consumers are using it now. For instance, the newer ‘tap’ credit card feature — the one that allows you to skip the fuss of inserting your card into the credit card reader — is a more recent example of RFID technology. Datascan’s Vice President of Technology Strategy, Herb Billings, explained the current and future use of RFID technology to host of Herb’s Hot Takes, Tyler Kern, in part one of this five-part podcast series. RFID is a “chip with a globally unique identifier in it...2022-05-0408 min
Keeping CountWays to Minimize ReturnsFinishing up the series on retail returns, Herb’s Hot Takes looks at strategies to minimize returns in the first place. Herb Billings, Vice President Technology Strategy at Datascan, shared his insights.Billings explained, “You want to decrease the likelihood of returns but not by making it a hard process. One way to address this is by considering that 65% of returns are actually the retailers’ fault.There are several ways for retailers to improve the process. “Gather as much data as you can to find out why returns occur, study the results, and identify priorities,” Billings r...2022-01-1015 min
Keeping CountBest Practices for ReturnsContinuing the discussion on returns, Herb’s Hot Takes focuses on best practices for retailers when it comes to returns, featuring Herb Billings, Vice President Technology Strategy at Datascan. Free and easy returns are now the norms, and Billings notes, “Retailers need to consider them as part of the purchase process, not something separate.”The return policy of a store, if done well, can win the company a customer for life. If not, they’ll shop somewhere else.So, what’s the best customer-centric approach to returns? Billings explained, “First, it’s important to say that two...2021-12-0608 min
Keeping CountWhat Happens to Returns?In the second episode of Herb’s Hot Takes on Returns, Herb Billings, vice president of technology strategy at Datascan, talks about the what happens to merchandise after the return. “About 25 percent of all returned items are thrown away, representing five billion pounds annually in the U.S. That has an environmental impact, and it’s a waste of resources,” Billings explained.So, why would a retailer throw away perfectly good items? According to Billings, it’s simply a matter of numbers: “When the cost to restock is greater than expected profit… they toss it.” Another avenu...2021-11-0911 min
Keeping CountThe Growing Problem of Returns for RetailersRetailers are dealing with more returns than ever before. In fact, retailers can lose up to one-third of revenue due to returns. In this first episode of a new series of Herb’s Hot Takes on returns, Herb Billings, Vice President Technology Strategy at Datascan, provides the audience an overview of the current problem. “Before online shopping, there were strict return policies to prevent or discourage them because they cost money. Online shopping changed all of that, and the quantity and cost increase every year,” Billings explained.This issue is most prominent in apparel and footwea...2021-10-0409 minKeeping CountHerb's Hot Hot TakesWelcome to Herb's Hot Takes, the show where Herb Billings, VP Technology Strategy, takes you through the world of retail and product inventory.2021-10-0401 min
Keeping CountWhat Does An Ideal Inventory Counting Solution Look Like for Retailers Worldwide?On this episode of Keeping Count, a podcast from the experts at Datascan, Host Tyler Kern talked with Gerry Meca, Chief Information Officer at Datascan. They talked about some of the trends in the industry and what they will look like moving forward. Meca joined Datascan as VP and Chief Information Officer in March 2020. He previously worked with Dr. Pepper and some other companies and has seen firsthand the importance of inventory management. At Dr. Pepper, he got experience with Datascan technology and what goes into keeping track in a warehouse. He also got a behind-the-scenes look...2021-09-1325 min
Keeping CountThe Ins and Outs of the Inventory Record Accuracy FormulaIf you were told there would be no math, that’s a shame – because there’s a formulaic approach to ensuring your retail organization has accurate inventory records and is making the most of your opportunity to boost that bottom line.To discuss retail inventory record accuracy and the formula you can use to calculate it, Herb Billings, Vice President, Technology Strategy at Datascan, is back alongside host Tyler Kern for another episode of Herb’s Hot Takes.Many retailers are aware of inventory accuracy percentage – but it doesn’t tell the entire story. It can be misle...2021-09-0215 min
Keeping CountThe Negative Effects of Poor Inventory AccuracyHerb Billings, Vice President, Technology Strategy at Datascan, is back alongside host Tyler Kern for another episode of Herb’s Hot Takes – this time diving into the measurable negative effects organizations can experience when they exhibit poor inventory accuracy.Every retailer the world over is affected by inventory accuracy either positively or negatively. As we learned in the first episode of Herb’s Hot Takes, those retailers that pay close attention to their inventory and conduct accurate counts can realize significant bottom-line benefits.However, the opposite is also true. There are five clear impacts of poor i...2021-08-1226 minKeeping CountThe Negative Impacts of Poor Inventory AccuracyHerb Billings, Vice President, Technology Strategy at Datascan, is back alongside host Tyler Kern for another episode of Herb’s Hot Takes – this time diving into the measurable negative effects organizations can experience when they exhibit poor inventory accuracy.Every retailer the world over is affected by inventory accuracy either positively or negatively. As we learned in the first episode of Herb’s Hot Takes, those retailers that pay close attention to their inventory and conduct accurate counts can realize significant bottom-line benefits.However, the opposite is also true. There are five clear impacts of poor i...2021-08-1126 min
Keeping CountWhat Impact Does Inventory Accuracy Have on Retail Sales and Loss?The accuracy of inventory can quickly degrade when it comes to retailers, particularly those with many stores. That makes inventory accuracy critical, especially considering that companies have invested heavily in omnichannel methods and adapted their strategies to meet consumer demand.2021-06-2914 min
Keeping CountHow Better Inventory Accuracy Can Elevate Your Sales and RevenueHerb Billings is the Vice President, Technology Strategy at Datascan – and he’s got some hot takes.On this inaugural episode of Herb’s Hot Takes, Billings leaned into years of experience studying the impact of inventory accuracy on retailers to deliver his first hot take, which may open listeners’ eyes to the very real impact of poor inventory accuracy on a business’s bottom line and beyond.2021-06-1014 minKeeping CountThe Importance of Inventory Accuracy: Highlight 22021-04-0201 min
Keeping CountNavigating Major Trends in Retail Data and AnalyticsLike any industry, retail is now being forced to reckon with an emphasis on data – and analysis of that data – unlike any we’ve seen before.Retailers are in a position to understand more about their supply chain, customers, store experience, marketing and more than ever before, but they need solutions that can help them make the most of that mountain of potential insights.From an inventory perspective, Datascan is ready with solutions that can help retailers do just that.On this episode of Datascan’s “Keeping Count,” President and CEO Adrian Thomas once again j...2021-03-2314 min
Keeping CountGetting to Know Datascan and the Retail LandscapeDatascan is an industry leader in inventory counting, helping modern retailers navigate the plethora of supply chain, inventory, stock management and data-related challenges they need to in order to thrive in the modern retail landscape.On “Keeping Count,” the company will help shape the conversation around those trends, offering leading insights primed to help retailers and more proactively and efficiently get their inventory under control.This inaugural episode saw Datascan President and CEO Adrian Thomas join host Tyler Kern to introduce viewers to the show, talk about Datascan as a whole, and align his company’s miss...2021-03-1712 min
Innovation CallingDriving a Dynamic Career in Technology & LeadershipWhen it comes to technology, it honestly doesn't matter what industry you're in, technology is a life thread to the company. In order to build something great, you have to be able to embrace and be agile in technology. We had the honor of sitting down with Gerry Mecca, CIO of DATASCAN, and former VP of IT at Keurig Dr. Pepper to discuss how important it is for organizations to learn how to take chances and be comfortable failing forward in the world of technology.
We also discussed how our work methods will change in the wake...2020-05-2800 min