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S04E05: AI Smart Features – featuring Spencer Schneidenbach

Blue Blazes

S04E05: AI Smart Features – featuring Spencer Schneidenbach

In this episode, host Jonathan “J.” Tower sat down with Spencer Schneidenbach to talk about the practical realities of integrating AI into modern software applications. Rather than focusing on AI hype or novelty chatbots, J. and Spencer dig into what actually makes AI features valuable in production systems and why good AI engineering is still mostly good software engineering. They cover how to evaluate whether AI is the right solution for a business problem, the difference between AI-assisted development and AI-powered product features, and why many organizations are still misunderstanding what LLMs are actually good at. Spencer also shares lessons learned from production AI implementations, including how his team built systems that evaluate customer service calls using chained LLM workflows. If you’re trying to separate AI signal from noise, this episode is for you.
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Spencer Schneidenbach is an AI Architect, and the President and CTO of Aviron Labs. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for his AI expertise and contributions to the community. You can find him sharing that expertise at events around the world and as a co-host of the new podcast, Agent Driven Development.

Additional Resources:

  • Semantic Kernel: https://learn.microsoft.com/semantic-kernel/overview/
  • Microsoft Agent Framework: search “Microsoft Agent Framework” on learn.microsoft.com
  • Model Context Protocol (MCP): https://modelcontextprotocol.io
  • Ollama (local models): https://ollama.com
  • Hugging Face: https://huggingface.co
  • Anthropic Engineering Blog: https://www.anthropic.com/engineering
  • OpenAI Platform Documentation: https://platform.openai.com/docs
  • Aviron Labs: https://www.avironlabs.com/

Montage Portal

Montage Furniture Services provides furniture protection plans and claims processing services to a wide selection of furniture retailers and consumers.

Project Background

Montage was looking to build a new web portal for both Retailers and Consumers, which would integrate with Dynamics CRM and other legacy systems. The portal needed to be multi tenant and support branding and configuration for different Retailers. Trailhead architected the new Montage Platform, including the Portal and all of it’s back end integrations, did the UI/UX and then delivered the new system, along with enhancements to DevOps and processes.

Logistics

We’ve logged countless miles exploring the tech world. In doing so, we gained the experience that enables us to deliver your unique software and systems architecture needs. Our team of seasoned tech vets can provide you with:

Custom App and Software Development

We collaborate with you throughout the entire process because your customized tech should fit your needs, not just those of other clients.

Cloud and Mobile Applications

The modern world demands versatile technology, and this is exactly what your mobile and cloud-based apps will give you.

User Experience and Interface (UX/UI) Design

We want your end users to have optimal experiences with tech that is highly intuitive and responsive.

DevOps

This combination of Agile software development and IT operations provides you with high-quality software at reduced cost, time, and risk.

Trailhead stepped into a challenging project – building our new web architecture and redeveloping our portals at the same time the business was migrating from a legacy system to our new CRM solution. They were able to not only significantly improve our web development architecture but our development and deployment processes as well as the functionality and performance of our portals. The feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Trailhead has proven themselves to be a valuable partner.

– BOB DOERKSEN, Vice President of Technology Services
at Montage Furniture Services

Technologies Used

When you hit the trails, it is essential to bring appropriate gear. The same holds true for your digital technology needs. That’s why Trailhead builds custom solutions on trusted platforms like .NET, Angular, React, and Xamarin.

Expertise

We partner with businesses who need intuitive custom software, responsive mobile applications, and advanced cloud technologies. And our extensive experience in the tech field allows us to help you map out the right path for all your digital technology needs.

  • Project Management
  • Architecture
  • Web App Development
  • Cloud Development
  • DevOps
  • Process Improvements
  • Legacy System Integration
  • UI Design
  • Manual QA
  • Back end/API/Database development

We partner with businesses who need intuitive custom software, responsive mobile applications, and advanced cloud technologies. And our extensive experience in the tech field allows us to help you map out the right path for all your digital technology needs.

Our Gear Is Packed and We're Excited to Explore with You

Ready to come with us? 

Together, we can map your company’s tech journey and start down the trails. If you’re set to take the first step, simply fill out the contact form. We’ll be in touch – and you’ll have a partner who cares about you and your company. 

We can’t wait to hear from you! 

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