July 8 2016 Embrace the efficiencies of SaaS solutions

Once upon a time, IT and tech solutions had to be built, stored, secured, upgraded, and maintained. These solutions were costly, had to be iron-clad protected and depended a lot on hardware. But today we have SaaS (Software as a Service) – a simple and efficient way we can access technology hosted somewhere on the Read More…

July 7 2016 Embrace cashless consumers to boost business and remain relevant, retailers told

As Australia transitions to being a cashless country, retailers are being urged to stay ahead of the curve and embrace new payment innovations. Those who don’t futureproof their businesses, but instead restrict the ability of consumers to make electronic payments, are not only missing out on sizeable business but risk becoming obsolete. Garry Duursma, Head, Market Development Read More…

June 30 2016 What does the year ahead hold for ecommerce?

Ecommerce has grown at lightning speed in recent years, its impact felt in every aspect of our daily routines – and confirmed by the research and predictions handed down by industry thought leaders such as Deloitte.  The multinational professional services firm recently published its predictions for 2016. Here are some of the takeaways from the report: 150% Rise in ‘Touch Read More…

June 23 2016 Avoid disruption envy with PaaS technology

According to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, ‘disruption is the new normal‘.  While this phrase may seem to be a contradiction, it does highlight the pervasiveness of disruption as a strategic method for organisations wanting to gain a competitive edge. The term ‘disruptive innovation’ appeared in a 1995 Harvard Business Review article ‘Disruptive Read More…

June 21 2016 Asia pacific’s SMEs and startups in with a chance to win global tech innovation awards

The Asia Pacific finalists for this year’s Talent Unleashed Awards, which celebrate startups, SMEs and entrepreneurs disrupting their field with innovative technology solutions, have been announced. The global technology awards program was launched in 2013 by IT recruitment agency, Talent International. This year, the Asia Pacific finalists were selected by a high-profile, international judging panel Read More…

May 30 2016 Tech innovation: key insights for business

The past, present and future of innovation in the technology sector, including opportunities for startups, were examined by thought leaders at a roundtable hosted by Oracle Australia. The event, held on Tuesday, 10 May at the Altitude Restaurant at Sydney’s Shangi-La Hotel, featured the following speakers: Tim Ebbeck, Regional Managing Director of Oracle Australia – a Read More…

May 11 2016 The productivity gaps holding SMBs back

Over the past decade, the nature of work has changed significantly. Economies have shifted from labour-based, to knowledge-based and service-based, and technology has enabled modern workers to collaborate wherever they may be.   This has had a significant impact on how we think about workspaces and what skills and capabilities we look for in executives, Read More…

May 6 2016 Document Capture – Perception versus Reality

  Document capture and the digital age go hand in hand. More and more companies than ever before are leveraging enterprise content management (ECM) solutions to help move them into the digital age of electronically storing and managing core business content. ECM technology in itself is a tried and proven means of efficiently managing information Read More…

April 18 2016 Square Reader: The innovative tool making it simpler for businesses to accept card payments

With a reputation for being the most smallest, most mobile and most affordable way for small business owners to accept credit cards, Square Reader is now available across Australia. Launched in March, Square Reader has been adopted by small and micro business owners who are using the innovative new business tool to accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express Read More…

April 15 2016 The Melbourne start-up that’s challenging Facebook

A Melbourne based technology start-up that leverages the power of emotional reactions and interaction is experiencing explosive global growth. Vent, an online platform that allows users to express their feelings and connect with people, has already raised over $500k in investment since launching in August 2014. Vent has acquired 1 million global users and expects Read More…

April 8 2016 Electronic Contracts

  Many business owners are now choosing to use electronic contracts. Many of these systems are simple to use and enable you to sign the contacts electronically on whatever device you are using. The two main types of electronic contract are as follows: Click-Wrap Agreement This type of agreement states the terms and terms and Read More…

March 9 2016 The ‘Uber-effect’ is just getting started: UrbanOutsource capitalises on a nation of early adopters

Now the sharing economy is evolving into something new. Ubiquitous communications, freelance work forces and low transaction costs are giving rise to the on-demand company, which aims to apply the principles of Uber or Airbnb to a much broader range of markets. (Irving Wladawsky-Berger, The Wall Street Journal) From food delivery, ad hoc tasks to Read More…

March 1 2016 UK fintech Start-up, truRating, launches in Australia giving our consumers a ‘real voice’

The transparency brought by the internet has changed the way we do business. Business owners no longer size themselves against the competitor on the adjacent street because, irrespective of locality, all stand side-by-side in a list of online search results; each just a click away from the other. But while this ultra-competitive, virtual environment has Read More…

February 24 2016 A story rarely told: Some start-ups refute alarming failure statistics and exceed expectations

Small business failure rates are alarming – or so we are told. Along every avenue of research an enthusiastic entrepreneur will take, their spark, at some point, will be doused by bold assertions: “8 Out of 10 entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first 18 months” (www.forbes.com). For anyone in the throes of a Read More…

January 20 2016 Is Australia’s slow response to new tech and strategies impacting digital businesses?

Tech start-ups, by definition, are tied to the latest developments in software and technology. Usually, these companies are on the cutting edge of the market, trying to position themselves ahead of the competition by embracing the latest technology. This technology may allow an up-and-coming business to develop the latest chart-topping app, or create the newest Read More…