People First, Technology Second

AI, sensors, and digital tools are flooding the maintenance and reliability world—but are organizations adopting them the right way? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Dave Howard, CEO of Erbessd Instruments, to challenge the “technology-first” mindset and make the case for a more sustainable approach: people first, technology second.

Drawing on decades of experience—from military aviation and plant leadership to vibration analysis and executive leadership—Dave explains why technology alone can’t fix reliability problems, why AI won’t replace skilled analysts, and how cultural buy-in determines whether new tools succeed or fail. The conversation cuts through fear-based narratives and focuses on how technology can improve safety, reliability, and quality of life for maintenance professionals.

You’ll learn about:

• Why people and culture must come before technology adoption

• How AI should be used as a filter and efficiency tool—not a replacement for expertise

• The limits of automation in vibration analysis and condition monitoring

• When pilot programs make sense—and when they stall progress

• How technology can reduce emergency call-ins and improve work-life balance

Whether you’re a maintenance leader evaluating new technology or a reliability professional concerned about the future of your role, this episode provides a practical, grounded perspective on adopting technology in a way that actually works.

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