In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Pharmacy Career, Resource & Training, host, Kavita Nadan, Pharmacist, and Founder at Locumate, is joined by  Max Mito, the Co-Founder / CEO at StrongRoom AI and Dr Craig Nossel, Chief Executive Officer, Carenomix & Co-founder, Evia Health. Listen in as the conversation takes us through how both Max and Craig met to how, along with their team, they have changed the game with innovative tech and medication management to a future that holds much more promise. 
Max talks about being with StrongRoom AI their whole professional life, having co-founded it with Christopher Durre. Craig, on the other hand, started with a dream to specialize in paediatrics to ending up as the head of Vitality Wellness, an incentive-based global wellness company. Craig who strongly believes that no meeting should be turned down met Max and the rest, as they say, is history. 
When asked about what has made StrongRoom AI successful, Max attributes it to:
1.	Having started young and having had the patience to work through the problems
2.	Working with different mentors
3.	Being supported by the wider community
4.	Finding and working with the right people
Answering the same question, Craig credits the success to 
1.	People
2.	Purpose
3.	Process
Talking about how StrongRoom AI works to support Pharmacists to strengthen the Health Care System, both Max and Craig emphasise the need for data literacy among the Pharmacists so that people are active and not reactive participants in the change process. Their tool is designed to provide additional data in an easy to understand way so that it then aids the understanding of trends. In simple term, their tool analyses all the data within any Pharmacy; it is a dynamic solution so that Pharmacists understand what they have and where the opportunities lie. The tool is also customer centric as it makes more services readily available to the community and helps access the otherwise underserved client base.
Furthering how users can access it, Max explains the pretty straight-forward system:
1.	An existing StrongRoom customer can simply activate the module then and there. They will also get a trainer.
2.	If you are not using StrongRoom AI already, a desktop version of the module can be installed in your Pharmacy. Additionally, there is a cloud version that can be accessed.
3.	If you have branch offices, there’s a head office view that allows you to consolidate all data and set some benchmarks across your branch offices.
Essentially the module draws data from all relevant sources and helps identify what areas need more focus and why, among endless other uses. So long as the users are open to learning and improving, they would be empowered and proactive in dealing with problems much more efficiently than done currently.
Craig says how it is an exciting time for the Pharmaceutical industry and they are thrilled to be playing in the space. They believe that technology providers and companies can play a critical role in bringing about a lot of positive change so long as they understand their clients’ needs. They emphasize the need for data literacy and customer engagement as being key to making the needed impact.
When asked about their advice for new entrants to the industry, Max says
1.	Be tenacious and disciplined 
2.	Be creative and open-minded
3.	Always stay humble
Answering the same question, Craig adds:
1.	Age should not be a barrier, on either extreme
2.	Be passionate about whatever you do
3.	Surround yourself with the right people
4.	Do your homework; there is no short-cut to success

Episode 69 Managing Health Outcomes with StrongRoom AI

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Max Mito, Co-Founder & CEO of StrongRoom AI, to explore the fascinating journey of revolutionizing healthcare technology. Max shares insights on the company's pivot from facial recognition to medication management, the challenges of modernizing a traditionally paper-heavy industry, and exciting plans for international expansion. Join us for an engaging discussion on innovation, growth, and the future of healthcare technology.


Max shares the origin story of StrongRoom AI, which began during his university years with co-founder Christopher Durre. Initially focused on using facial recognition for medical record matching, they soon discovered the healthcare sector's reliance on paper records and outdated systems. This realization led them to pivot toward medication management, officially launching StrongRoom AI in 2017. Max reflects on the surprising technological backwardness in healthcare, highlighting the persistent use of paper and outdated systems like faxes in private hospitals and pharmacies.


Max and Anthony then delve into the slow adoption of new technology within the healthcare sector. Despite the clear benefits of technological advancements, many in the industry resist change due to a strong focus on customer care and business operations. Max explains that the risks and complexities involved in implementing new healthcare technology contribute significantly to this resistance, underscoring the critical importance of privacy and security. They share anecdotes about outdated systems, such as the continued use of Windows 95 and 7, illustrating the challenges faced in modernizing healthcare technology.


The discussion then shifts to the founding journey of StrongRoom AI. Max talks about his technical co-founder Chris, and the later addition of Kieran Start and industry veteran Mark Feldschuh as co-founders. He highlights his transition from a self-taught coder to focusing on other business aspects, emphasizing the importance of leveraging team strengths and the evolving nature of his role as the company grows. Max also shares valuable lessons learned from his previous job in door-to-door sales for solar panels, which provided insights into sales and Australian culture despite its challenges.


Max provides an in-depth look at the origins and evolution of StrongRoom AI. Initially focused on using facial recognition for data management in pharmacies, the company pivoted to specialize in medication management, particularly for controlled substances like opioids. He discusses the development of StrongRoom AI’s two product generations: the first improves workflow tools in healthcare settings, and the second integrates with dispensing software to enhance patient adherence and medication management through data analysis. This platform helps pharmacists make informed decisions, addressing issues like cost barriers and ensuring patients receive appropriate care.


Max concludes by sharing the challenges and lessons learned during StrongRoom AI's seven-year journey. He emphasizes the difficulties of rapid growth, particularly in maintaining customer support while onboarding numerous pharmacies. The critical importance of hiring the right people at the right time is highlighted, noting that both exceptional and poor hires significantly impact the company. Max reflects on the necessity of investing in automation early and the efficiency hindered by manual processes initially. He shares insights on humility and learning from mistakes, noting that true growth comes from continuous refinement and listening to team input. Additionally, Max discusses StrongRoom AI’s exciting international expansion plans, with DEA clearance to enter the US market and strategic moves in the UK, focusing on targeted growth in these regions and the unique opportunities presented by different healthcare systems.

Innovation in Healthcare: StrongRoom AI's Quest to Modernize Pharmacy | Ep 138 | DevReady Podcast

We started the DevReady podcast to help non-techs build better technology. We have been exposed to so many non-techs that describe the struggle, uncertainty and challenges that can come with building technology.

The objective for the DevReady podcast to share these stories and give you the tools and insights so that you to can deliver on your vision and outcomes.

You will learn from non-tech founders that have invested their time and money into developing technology. We will discuss what worked, what didn’t and how they still managed to deliver real value to their users.  These stories are inspirational – demonstrating the determination, commitment and resolve it really takes to deliver technology.

Throughout the DevReady Podcast we also invite subject matter experts to the conversation to give you proven strategies and techniques to successfully take your idea through to delivery and beyond.

Enjoy the Podcast, it will challenge you, inspire you and provide the tools you will need to deliver real value with technology.

Welcome to Pharmacy View – Technology in Pharmacy Business Podcast Series where we provide regular interviews with Pharmacists and key industry people within the Australian Pharmacy and associated industry. In each podcast we look to discuss aspects of Pharmacy operation and how technology is improving or interacting with each guest’s current role or Pharmacy related business.

New tracks tagged #strongroomai