DSL Direct LLC

08/12/2026

"Today, are simply one component of a much larger business ecosystem. Success depends on understanding the customer’s world first and the technology second."

Every payments journey has a story. The Green Sheet's Dale Laszig reflects on adventures, redirections and lessons learned along the way in an exclusive interview with VoyagePennsylvania. https://voyagepennsylvania.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-dale-laszig-of-the-green-sheet

07/22/2026

I'm pleased to share my latest article for Vending Times, "Modern vending: Factory-built, field-tested."

🚩 When I began reporting, I thought this story would be about smart coolers. Instead, a series of conversations with industry experts took me behind the scenes, where engineers, software developers, payment providers and manufacturers collaborate long before a machine ever reaches a customer.

🚩 They helped me realize that great customer experiences don't begin when someone taps a card or opens a cooler door. They begin at the factory, where flexibility, security and frictionless interactions are designed into hardware & software at the very start.

Many thanks to ⭐ Jason Moss (Castles Technology), ⭐ Peter Zoumboulakis (WeVend) and ⭐ Mike Burnett (SmartMarket Solutions) for helping me see modern vending from an entirely new perspective.

07/21/2026

What is a product anymore? I've been reflecting on changing definitions & the subject resurfaced during my guest appearance on the TomorrowZone Catalyst podcast a few weeks ago. I also explore it in a new series in The Green Sheet Inc., "Is that a product or capability?" It's fascinating to see technology outpace language, or better yet, become a language in itself.
[Link to interview and story in comments.]

07/17/2026

Wow, in the middle of writing about this, pulled an old file and hit Solid Gold!

05/12/2026

Excited to share my latest Vending Times blog exploring modern vending. Special thanks to Kim Page and Mark Lerner for perspectives on industry and operator trends. A few takeaways:

🟥 Smart vending is driven by connected, data-enabled tech & flexible payments experiences

🟥 Modern design facilitates customer engagement & operational success

🟥 Sustainability, remote management and lifecycle support are essential considerations

🟥 Thoughtful upgrades & future-ready integrations can enhance legacy cabinets

🟥 Smart investment decisions & user-centered design create adjacent opportunities

Always appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the conversation around

04/15/2026

https://www.vendingtimes.com/blogs/modern-vending-where-smart-investment-meets-smart-design/ and experts explore opportunities in my latest post. With thanks to Verifone and Franchise Consultants for insights. 🍫🍿🍕

In today’s vending landscape, success depends on the alignment of smart investment and well-designed technology, a winning combination for strong performance and sustainable growth.

04/02/2026

is in the room

Have you ever noticed how wonderfully natural and at ease Donna Blum’s guests appear on the BHMI Enterprise Software podcast, Pioneers in Payments? I’m privileged to know her and blessed to call her friend.

Donna has a way of making us forget the cameras and other distractions and just settle in, the way friends do, chatting about our careers, lives, & industry that brought us together.

I see a different side of myself in this episode, a calm, introspective and thoughtful side I rarely show the world. Recorded on the heels of the Northeast Acquirers Association's conference, our fireside chat includes shoutouts to colleagues, mentors and friends. 😍

I love BHMI’s chosen headline, “AI is in the room.” Yes, I said that.

🎙️ Host: Donna Blum, BHMI 🎙️ Guest: Dale Laszig, Founder and CEO of DSL Direct In this episode of Pioneers in Payments, host Donna Blum sits down with indu...

03/04/2026

Check out my latest on Substack:
https://dsldirect.substack.com/p/tech-will-find-a-way

03/03/2026

Excited to share that Vending Times has published my blog series on the evolution of vending technology.

The series traces the journey from traditional mechanical machines to today’s connected, data-driven commerce platforms, and explores what that evolution means for the future of unattended retail.

A special thank you to editor Judy Mottl for the opportunity and for her continued leadership spotlighting innovation across the vending and payments ecosystem.

If you’re seeing emerging trends in — across manufacturing, services or operations — I’d love to connect and hear your perspective.

02/27/2026

From snow boots to business suits, ❄️➡️👠👞 some of us have grown up with our industry. From winter conferences and missed headcounts on snowy mountains to shaping new generations in and .

❄️ At NEAA’s 41st annual conference, I had one of those “we’ve all grown up” moments. The Northeast Acquirers Association has evolved over decades, but held onto core values: , and . The same can be said for PayTechWomen, an organization that continues to , while staying grounded in advocacy and access.

🩷 A huge shoutout to Dr. Gail Burgos and PTW leadership team for hosting a thoughtful session on advancing women in payments. Hearing Dawn Delaney and Lorraine Leduc talk about sponsors, mentors and the power of feedback set the tone early in the conference.

❄️ And then, in a moment that made my pattern-recognition brain very happy, those same themes resurfaced in the closing keynote with Olympian and Visa Champion Abby Gustaitis, of leaning into opportunities before you feel ready, asking for feedback (even from people who aren’t your biggest fans), finding your X-factor and leveling it up. Different stages. Same truths.

🩷 It’s something special to watch trade associations grow up alongside the professionals they serve, preserving traditions while shaping future generations of leaders. 🎓 🎓 🎓

Grateful to be on this journey with all of you.