Beyond Tech
Through expert voices and real-world stories, Beyond Tech dives into the innovations transforming industries and the strategies shaping what’s next.
About Beyond Tech
Beyond Tech, E Tech Group’s podcast, takes you past the buzzwords and headlines to uncover the real innovations in automation, control, and intelligence solutions. Beyond Tech brings you closer to the people and ideas shaping the future of automation. Through expert interviews, emerging trends, and real-world case studies, we explore not just what’s new, but why it matters.
Whether you’re an engineer, business leader, or just curious about how technology impacts everyday life, this podcast offers practical insights and fresh perspectives.
Powered by E Tech Group’s decades of experience across life sciences, manufacturing, and energy, Beyond Tech helps you navigate challenges, unlock efficiencies, and prepare for a smarter future.
Listen to Our Most Recent Episode:
Lab Automation Meets Digital Transformation: Connecting Bench-Level Innovation to the Enterprise
In this episode of Beyond Tech, Jackie Slaght and Dave O’Brien are joined by Sura Hadi and Niket Karode to explore why many lab automation efforts fail to scale. They break down the gap between automation and true digital transformation, focusing on the role of data architecture, system integration, and OT and IT alignment. The conversation highlights common pitfalls, real world examples, and what it takes to connect lab operations to enterprise level insight.
Unifying Operations After Acquisition: Multi-Site Standardization & M&A Growth Challenges
In this episode of Beyond Tech, we explore how company growth through acquisition introduces complexity across control systems, networks, and cybersecurity standards, often creating disconnected operations and inconsistent processes across sites.
Joined by Eric Medecke, the conversation breaks down why standardization becomes so difficult, what organizations uncover during IT OT assessments, and the hidden risks that often exist within inherited infrastructure after expansion.
From unifying multi site operations to building secure, scalable architectures, this episode offers practical insight for organizations looking to reduce risk, modernize effectively, and create a stronger foundation for continued growth.
Powering the Future: Automation and Resilience in Data Centers for 2026
In this episode of Beyond Tech, host Jackie Slaght explores how growing AI and cloud demand are transforming the data center landscape and raising expectations for speed, scale, and sustainability.
Joined by Cam Rogers and Bryan Sharp, the conversation dives into modernization strategies, energy efficiency priorities, and the operational realities of maintaining uptime as infrastructure grows more complex.
From preparing for future capacity needs to building resilient and efficient systems, this episode offers practical insight for data center operators and technology leaders planning for 2026 and beyond.
Beyond the Packaging Line: Automation, AI Readiness, and the Future of Pharma
Automation in pharmaceuticals is moving far beyond the packaging line, and the pace of change continues to accelerate.
In this episode of Beyond Tech, host Jackie Slaght and guest host Dave O’Brien are joined by E Tech Group experts Sura Hadi and Pradeep Paul to explore how automation, data platforms, and AI are transforming pharma and biotech from early discovery through manufacturing. Anchored by a recent Automate.org article, the conversation breaks down real world challenges like validation, fragmented data, and AI readiness, and offers practical insight into how organizations can move beyond pilots to build scalable, future ready foundations.
The Real Barriers to Modernization — Unpacked
In this episode of Beyond Tech, host Jackie Slaght continues the conversation from our recent live partner session on simplifying modernization in food, beverage, and CPG operations.
Joined by Kyle Van Druten of E Tech Group and Tom Steffen of Rockwell Automation, the discussion tackles common misconceptions around modernization, the challenges of mixed vintage systems, and what it really takes for plants to modernize successfully.
From cultural shifts to unified controls strategies, this episode offers practical insight for manufacturers looking to modernize with confidence.
Engineering After Hours: Home Automation Passion Projects
In this light‑hearted Beyond Tech roundtable, we explore what happens when automation engineers bring their work… home. From DIY security systems that rival Hollywood scenes, to full‑scale smart home setups, to home labs and retrofitted traffic lights — our team proves that passion for automation doesn’t stop when the workday ends. This fun, behind‑the‑scenes conversation reveals how engineers use their professional skills to solve everyday problems, unleash creativity, and occasionally scare roommates.
From Concept to ROI: How Digital Twins Deliver Real Business Value
Digital Twin technology is transforming how manufacturers design, operate, and maintain their systems. This episode explores how Digital Twins move from concept to measurable ROI, with real examples of reducing downtime, improving predictive maintenance, and boosting efficiency. Whether you’re exploring implementation or evaluating investment, you’ll gain actionable insights to make Digital Twins work for your business.
Forging Ahead: Automation and Modernization in Metals Manufacturing
Heavy industry is entering a new era, and the metals sector is no exception. In this episode of Beyond Tech, hosts Jackie Slaght and Jennifer Palumbo talk with E Tech Group leaders Carmelo Bottari, Dave Jancosek, and Nish Patel about how automation and modernization are reshaping metals operations. They discuss digitizing legacy systems, improving safety, reducing downtime, and using data to boost efficiency. Listeners will hear examples of upgraded mills, predictive tools, and technologies shaping metals manufacturing.
In this episode of Beyond Tech, Jackie Slaght talks with E Tech Group leaders Randy Ruano and Casey Noonan about the technologies reshaping Food and Beverage as producers prepare for 2026. They cover smart agriculture tools, data driven optimization, sustainability pressures, and how AI is beginning to influence production quality and efficiency. You will hear real examples of automation improving consistency and throughput, along with insights into the innovations that could drive the industry forward in the coming years.