Behind the Scenes: Using Real-Time Data to Power Repair Vendor Management

21/08/2025 22 min

                    Behind the Scenes: Using Real-Time Data to Power Repair Vendor Management

Listen " Behind the Scenes: Using Real-Time Data to Power Repair Vendor Management "

Episode Synopsis


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 


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