AI Savants Podcast

How Hackers Think: Richard Avery on Building Secure MSPs with Titanium Computing

Most MSPs say they care about security—Richard Avery actually trains his team to think like hackers. In this episode, John Rice sits down with Richard, founder of Titanium Computing, an Austin-based MSP and cybersecurity shop, to unpack how a childhood spent picking locks turned into a career protecting businesses from real-world threats. Richard explains why he builds “hackers first, technicians second,” giving every team member paid daily study time, pushing them through deep fundamentals like DNS, and equipping them with hands-on labs that mirror real attack paths. He also shares how Titanium helps growing companies navigate compliance (CMMC, SOC 2, PCI, HIPAA) while actually implementing the infrastructure, pen testing, and remediation work required—not just handing over a report. For MSPs and IT firms, Richard’s perspective on AI, security, and redundancy is a wake-up call. From using AI agents to configure firewalls to avoiding single-vendor lock-in and designing environments with “one is none” redundancy, this conversation is packed with practical, immediately usable ideas for leveling up your security offering and scaling a resilient, high-trust MSP. Episode Highlights * [00:45] From locksmith’s son to cybersecurity leader: how physical security and early hacker culture shaped Richard’s approach to IT and MSP work. * [04:10] Why Titanium trains “hackers in-house”: paid daily study time, certification incentives, and deep DNS fundamentals that separate real engineers from checkbox techs. * [09:30] The AI wave inside MSPs: turning off noisy AI features vs. using AI to safely program routers, firewalls, and configs with human-plus-AI workflows. * [14:20] Compliance as Lego: how Titanium tackles CMMC, SOC 2, PCI, and HIPAA by combining cabling, infrastructure, and pen testing under one roof. * [19:05] The real growth engine: why many of Titanium’s best clients arrive after an incident or MSP failure—and how they position as a long-term security partner. * [24:00] Building a 20–40% growth machine: acquisitions, investment, and why 2026 is set up to be a breakout year for Titanium Computing. * [27:15] “Don’t worry, I’ll let myself in”: Richard’s upcoming book, YouTube education, and why marketing, social engineering, and security are all deeply connected. * [31:40] “One is none”: why every critical asset—domains, phones, websites, merchant accounts—needs backups, and how that mindset applies to MSP resilience. Tags/Keywords * MSP cybersecurity * AI in managed services * Hacker mindset for MSPs * Compliance for IT providers * CMMC and SOC 2 for SMBs * PCI and HIPAA security * MSP growth strategies * AI automation for IT teams * Pen testing for MSP clients * Redundancy and business continuity Call to Action (CTA) 👉 To connect with John Rice and AI Savants: Website: https://www.aisavants.io [https://www.aisavants.io/] Email: john@aisavants.io [john@aisavants.io] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/] 👉 To connect with Richard Avery and Titanium Computing: Website: https://titaniumcomputing.com/ [https://titaniumcomputing.com/] Email: ravery@titaniumcomputing.com [ravery@titaniumcomputing.com] LinkedIn: ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/]https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-avery-140a3010/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-avery-140a3010/]

Building the Digital Backbone of Modern Dentistry with AI, Automation & Secure IT

In this episode, John Rice sits down with Dr Vajahat yar Khan, CEO of USA Dental Solutions and founder of DentTracks Software, to unpack how AI and automation are reshaping the business side of dentistry. Dr. Khan explains how DentTracks overlays existing patient management systems to surface real-time KPIs, create actionable workflows, and eliminate the most painful, labor-intensive processes that drain teams and erode profitability. He shares his journey from pediatric dentist and academic to scaling multiple practices, building a 350-person operations team in India, and then realizing technology was the only way to create true accountability and visibility at scale. From fragmented “shiny object” tools to fully integrated ecosystems, he breaks down what dental leaders should demand from their tech stack, IT partners, and cybersecurity posture to protect PHI and cashflow. Finally, Dr Vajahat yar Khan looks ahead at robotics, voice-driven clinical workflows, conversational AI with insurers, and cloud migration. If you support or run a dental organization, this conversation is a masterclass in turning IT and AI into a strategic advantage—not just another software subscription. Episode Highlights[00:30] Meet Dr Vajahat yar Khan and how DentTracks augments, rather than replaces, dental patient management systems. [02:05] Turning raw PMS data into KPIs, workflows, and ROI for multi-location dental groups. [05:10] From one small practice to 175 clients: scaling with an Indian operations team. [08:12] Why labor-intensive, frustrating insurance work is the first thing to automate. [11:40] The hidden cost of siloed dental tech tools and how Ttra’s modular ecosystem connects them. [15:06] Bridging IT gaps in practices: security, firewalls, on-prem servers, and cloud readiness. [18:25] Lessons from the Change Healthcare/Optum outage and keeping claims revenue flowing. [22:48] Robots placing crowns, smart bite guards, and material science innovations in dentistry. [26:02] Voice-activated practice ops: scheduling, payments, and clinical notes via AI assistants. [29:10] How IT providers can become true strategic partners through integration and collaboration. [32:00] Compliance, partnerships (FX, Super Dial), and a unifying vision for dental technology. Tags / Keywords dental technology dental IT infrastructure AI in dentistry dental practice management software revenue cycle management dental dental cybersecurity Change Healthcare outage cloud migration for dental offices dental KPIs and analytics automation in dental billing conversational AI for insurance voice AI in healthcare multi-location dental groups dental compliance software IT service providers for dentists Call to Action (CTA) 👉 To connect with host John Rice and AI Savants: Website: https://www.aisavants.io [https://www.aisavants.io] Email: john@aisavants.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/] 👉 To connect with Dr. Vahan Website: v.denttracks.com/  [https://v.denttracks.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vajahat-yar-khan-usads-denttracks-001tx/overlay/contact-info/

Designing Human-Centered IT: How Macktez Navigates Complex Change with Noah Landow

In this episode, John Rice of AI Savants sits down with Noah Landow, CEO and co-founder of Macktez, a New York–based IT consulting firm known for its human-first approach to technology. With origins in architecture and biochemistry rather than traditional IT, Noah and his team built Macktez around a simple philosophy: technology must solve the real problem the user is facing - not the one the tool is designed for. Noah shares insights from nearly 30 years of consulting, from solving unusual environmental constraints at Little Island to modernizing legacy infrastructure for MakerBot during rapid growth and M&A. He breaks down why the MSP world often becomes a race to the bottom, how to balance standardization with tailored solutions, and why organizations going through dynamic change are where Macktez delivers the most transformative impact. Listeners will take away practical lessons on identity management, device onboarding, Zero Touch deployment, navigating legacy Active Directory, and knowing when to bring in an outside partner before problems become costly crises. Noah also shares his perspective on AI’s real value in IT - not the hype - and why trust remains the core currency in technical consulting. Episode Highlights * [00:00] John introduces AI Savants and welcomes Noah Landow. * [00:40] Why stepping back from daily work helps leaders see broader tech trends. * [01:20] The unconventional origins of Macktez and a human-centered IT philosophy. * [03:00] How “tech that technically works” fails real business needs. * [04:30] MSP standardization vs. bespoke consulting — and finding the right balance. * [06:00] Little Island case study: building IT into a park over water. * [08:10] Working with Cisco on pre-release hardware to meet extreme conditions. * [09:40] Early client acquisition through architecture referrals. * [10:50] The MSP pricing challenge and why Macktez avoids the race to the bottom. * [12:10] MakerBot transformation story: modernizing, hiring, and supporting M&A. * [14:00] Why Macktez thrives in organizations undergoing dynamic change. * [15:10] Outlook for the next 6–12 months and impacts of economic volatility. * [16:20] Real-world use of AI in ticketing, triage, and internal knowledge access. * [17:10] Zero Touch, JumpCloud, and modern device management wins. * [18:20] The “magic wand” wish: being brought into messy projects earlier. * [19:20] Costly security incidents and the consequences of delaying modernization. * [20:10] Final thoughts: trust as the heart of IT consulting. Tags / Keywords Macktez, Noah Landow, IT consulting, MSP strategy, tech modernization, identity management, JumpCloud, Zero Touch, Little Island NYC, MakerBot IT overhaul, Active Directory migration, security incidents, IT for creative firms, technology change management, AI in IT operations Call to Action (CTA) 👉 Connect with host John Rice and AI Savants: Website: https://www.aisavants.io Email: john@aisavants.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/ 👉 Connect with Noah Landow: Website: https://www.macktez.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahlandow/

Rugged by Design: Tim Barnett on Building Industrial PCs

What keeps mission-critical computers running 24/7 on factory floors, military vehicles, and inside blazing-hot enclosures? In this episode of Tech Leaders Unplugged: Hardware Innovators & the Industrial Edge, host John Rice talks with Tim Barnett, President & CEO of Industrial PC, about how to design, build, and support rugged, long-lifecycle systems that don’t quit. Tim traces his path from biomedical engineering and hospital mainframes to launching a U.S. industrial-computing integrator in the ’90s landing early web leads, navigating tariffs and supply chain swings, and growing a field-engineer-led sales org. He breaks down what truly differentiates industrial PCs (wide-temp, fanless thermal design, embedded roadmaps, serviceability), where AI/edge workloads fit (Intel vs. NVIDIA Jetson), and why modular panel PCs can turn a multi-week outage into a five-minute swap. Whether you’re an MSP, OEM, or operations leader, you’ll get practical advice on specifying hardware that lasts, avoiding lifecycle traps, and building flexibility into your product roadmap - without sacrificing reliability. Episode Highlights * [00:28] From biomedical engineering to mainframes: Tim’s entry into computing and the “cold-room” hospital era. * [02:10] Leaving rep life to found Industrial PC: early Taiwanese partnership and the late-night FrontPage website that made the phones ring. * [04:35] What “industrial computing” really means: long lifecycle embedded chipsets, wide-temp components, and fanless thermal design. * [07:18] Why consumer parts fail in the field: the hidden cost of standard-temp SSDs and mismatched specs. * [10:02] Customer-first integration vs. e-commerce boxes: designing to the environment, second-sourcing, and footprint-compatible drop-ins. * [13:21] Supply chain + tariffs reality: “Tim the tariff buster,” steering toward stable sources and shielding customers from shocks. * [15:44] AI at the edge: Intel accelerators vs. NVIDIA Jetson, what Tim’s team supports, and where the learning curve is real. * [18:06] Field challenge story: fitting a PC in a 3"×7" hot stainless cabinet risk-sharing with the customer and a decades-long win. * [21:30] Innovation Tim’s proud of: modular panel PCs -five-minute field swaps instead of weeks of downtime. * [24:12] Founder advice: be flexible, turn on a dime, chase solutions - not rigid plans. * [26:40] Outlook: AI everywhere, edge growth, and why the PC isn’t “dead” in industrial - stability matters as much as speed. Tags/Keywords industrial pc, fanless computers, wide-temperature hardware, embedded lifecycle, edge ai, nvidia jetson vs intel, rugged panel pc, thermal design, supply chain resilience, tariff strategy, OEM integration, MSP industrial IoT Call to Action (CTA) 👉 To connect with John Rice and AI Savants: Website: https://www.aisavants.io [https://www.aisavants.io] Email: john@aisavants.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/] 👉 To connect with Tim Barnett and Industrial PC: Website: https://industrialpc.com/ [https://industrialpc.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-barnett-a3439b12/

How Second Son Consulting Built LA’s Top Apple IT Firm – with Rob Calvert

If your Macs live in a Windows world, this episode is your playbook. Rob Calvert, President & Founder of Second Son Consulting shares how his team became Los Angeles’s largest Apple Partner Network member by aligning IT decisions with real user workflows, not just shiny tools. From “zero-touch” deployments and managed Apple IDs to practical security training that actually sticks, Rob shows MSPs and IT leaders how to harden endpoints without wrecking productivity. We also dive into recession-era lessons, hiring for soft skills, and why being the “mortar between SaaS bricks” is the future. Whether you manage 20 Macs inside a 100-PC org or run a hybrid fleet across states, you’ll leave with concrete ways to cut friction, boost security, and ship devices anywhere - ready to work on first boot. Episode Highlights * [00:00] Origin story: From pre-press and “translator” between IT and the business to launching Second Son in 2003. * [03:10] Finding the niche: Making Macs play nicely with Windows—VPNs, RAID, file servers, and Windows-only apps. * [06:45] Weathering downturns: What 2008–09 and 2020 taught Rob about getting lean and growing via outsourced IT. * [10:20] Security starts at the endpoint: Why network-first thinking fails in a WFH world; Foundations Plan basics. * [14:05] Prevention over cure: Managed Apple IDs, device ownership proof, and avoiding iCloud lockouts. * [18:30] Culture & training that works: Ongoing micro-education, targeted simulations, and “don’t shoot the messenger.” * [22:40] Zero-touch at scale: Open-source Baseline to decouple deployments from any single MDM (Jamf, Mosyle, Intune, JumpCloud). * [27:15] Packaging & pricing: Modular services—device mgmt, help desk, onboarding, cybersecurity, BCDR, and infra. * [31:00] Hiring that sticks: DISC for role fit, live troubleshooting over written tests, and front- vs back-of-house engineers. * [35:20] Go-to-market: 95% referrals via Apple, Microsoft partner communities, and telecom allies. * [38:15] What’s next: SSO everywhere, SaaS “mortar,” privacy-safe on-device AI (Apple Intelligence), and shadow-IT done right.Tags/Keywords AI for IT ops, Apple device management, zero-touch deployment, managed Apple ID, MSP growth, hybrid Mac/Windows, endpoint security, cybersecurity training, single sign-on (SSO), SaaS integration, Mac admins, Apple Partner NetworkGuest Rob Calvert, President of Second Son Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcalvert/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcalvert/] Website: https://secondsonconsulting.com/about/our-team/ [https://secondsonconsulting.com/about/our-team/]Call to Action (CTA) 👉 To connect with John Rice and AI Savants: Website: https://www.aisavants.io [https://www.aisavants.io] Email: john@aisavants.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rice-31329526/]