Apkudo's Podcast

Could a "Carfax for phones" eliminate billions in waste from the device supply chain?  Flavio Rossi, Apkudo advisor and wireless industry veteran with experience at T-Mobile, Asurion, and as co-founder of Rexy Resale, discusses the critical work of the CTIA Reverse Logistics and Service Quality Group. The challenge? Multiple grading languages create confusion and erode trust in device trading. "You could have company A describe their device as a grade A, while company B would describe that same device as a grade B," Rossi explains. With major players like Apple, Samsung, and Verizon collaborating, the group has released five revisions since 2019. Rossi reveals humans are only 50% accurate at grading—can automation and standards like Device Passport finally create the "Carfax for phones" that the industry desperately needs?  Flavio Rossi is an advisor to Apkudo and a seasoned wireless industry veteran with decades of experience spanning network infrastructure, carriers, and reverse logistics. His career includes leadership roles at Alltel, Verizon, Asurion, and a long tenure at T-Mobile, where he was first introduced to Apkudo in 2014 during the MetroPCS acquisition. In 2019, Rossi partnered with Apkudo to co-found Rexy Resale, which has grown to operate three facilities serving major carriers and OEMs across the US. He is an active member of the CTIA Reverse Logistics and Service Quality Group, working to standardize device grading across the industry.  In this episode:  (00:00) Introduction of Flavio Rossi and his wireless industry journey  (02:31) CTIA grading standards and the reverse logistics working group  (05:31) Evolution from revision one to five addressing device innovation  (10:08) Automation removes subjectivity, humans only fifty percent accurate  (12:40) Cost savings through trust, eliminating redundant grading and waste  (15:53) US standards influence global markets and device passport initiative  Send us your comments, ideas for future shows, and feedback. Subscribe to catch future episodes, and share this episode with someone who might be interested!   Resources:  Flavio Rossi LinkedIn Rexi Resale Apkudo Device Passport Apkudo LinkedIn Apkudo Second Sense Podcast   

Join 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 scaling this innovation across the industry?  Andrew Kroeger is Co-Founder of CypherBlk, a company specializing in portless device diagnostics and data sanitization for smartwatches and wearables. With over 25 years in technology, Andrew previously led teams at CDW and worked extensively in data centers and cybersecurity before entering the reverse logistics space eight years ago at Blancco. His work focuses on solving critical gaps in device lifecycle management while addressing the environmental and social impacts of e-waste. Through CypherBlk's partnership with Apkudo's ecosystem, Andrew is helping scale innovative solutions that enable accurate testing, grading, and data erasure for devices once considered impossible to process efficiently.  In this episode:  (00:00) Andrew Kroeger and CypherBlk ecosystem partnership  (00:55) From VAR sales to sustainability in reverse logistics  (10:42) Cracking the Apple Watch Series 7 portless diagnostics challenge  (22:09) Scaling smartwatch solutions through Apkudo's platform integration  (25:48) Collaborative future of device lifecycle and circular economy  (28:43) Industry mindset shift from competition to cooperation  Send us your comments, ideas for future shows, and feedback. Subscribe to catch future episodes, and share this episode with someone who might be interested!   Resources:  Andrew Kroeger LinkedIn Apkudo LinkedIn Apkudo  Second Sense Podcast

What 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 company that can manage them all and manage them all well, it doesn't exist," he notes. The conversation explores how standardized data sharing through the Apkudo ecosystem enables better decision-making across the supply chain. Can collaboration replace the inefficiencies of siloed operations? Josh shares his vision for modernizing industry standards to match the pace of technological advancement.  In this episode:  (00:00) Josh Beasley and his dual company roles  (04:34) Josh's background from marketing internship to tech industry leadership  (09:31) The powered by Apkudo ecosystem and benefits of standardized data  (19:57) Supply chain complexity and managing devices across multiple partners  (27:56) Industry standards evolution and sustainability in device lifecycle management  (34:30) Closing thoughts on redefining end of life standards  Send us your comments, ideas for future shows, and feedback. Subscribe to catch future episodes, and share this episode with someone who might be interested!   Resources:  Early Upgrade Quick Ship Brands  Apkudo LinkedIn Apkudo Second Sense Podcast  

How 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 logistics planning to local team recruitment. What makes the difference between success and failure? The collaborative mindset from day one. How do you handle equipment that won't fit in elevators or power requirements that fall short? Charles shares real-world solutions that turn potential disasters into learning opportunities for future implementations.  In this episode:  (00:00) Introduction of guest Charles Stewardson and his EMEA role  (01:41) Charles's background in tech services over thirty years  (03:07) Understanding the broad scope of automation implementation processes  (08:27) Critical preparation steps before equipment mobilization begins  (11:06) Real world stories from successful and challenging implementations  (14:38) Final thoughts on collaborative partnerships in automation  Send us your comments, ideas for future shows, and feedback. Subscribe to catch future episodes, and share this episode with someone who might be interested!   Resources:  Apkudo LinkedIn Apkudo Second Sense Podcast 

How 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 that once dominated the industry. Their discussion covers how real-time automation has transformed vendor relationships, reduced repair turnaround times, and improved device circularity. How does better data visibility change everything from customer satisfaction to environmental impact?  In this episode:  (00:00) Introduction of guests John Hebert and Stephen Mattson  (00:42) Background experiences in telecommunications and mobile device industry  (01:58) Device journey from first life to second life  (05:13) Challenges facing vendor managers in repair processes  (13:03) How automation improves vendor manager efficiency  (18:25) Future developments in partner portal communication  Send us your comments, ideas for future shows, and feedback. Subscribe to catch future episodes, and share this episode with someone who might be interested!   Resources:  Apkudo LinkedIn Apkudo Second Sense Podcast