ADP, a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, has announced an exciting enhancement to the Payroll Variance feature with the launch of a new AI agent within ADP Global Payroll. For years, Payroll Variance has helped organisations identify payroll inconsistencies before they become pay issues, thereby reducing the administrative burden for HR and payroll teams worldwide. Now, ADP is taking it a step further by introducing a new ADP Assist payroll agent to better support practitioners and boost payroll management efficiency. It’s already available to all ADP enterprise clients in over 40 countries. Deployment for mid-market clients in additional territories is planned for mid-2026.

Leveraging AI for payroll excellence and risk mitigation

As businesses expand their operations across borders, managing payroll complexities becomes increasingly challenging. ADP Global Payroll offers a single comprehensive solution that seamlessly integrates local expertise with a global perspective, helping clients meet their compliance needs through reliable data for payroll operations across more than 140 countries and territories. The introduction of AI agents reinforces ADP’s commitment to help global organisations manage people, streamline payroll processes and make informed decisions that support people at work.

By automatically identifying deviations, the ADP Assist agent Payroll Variance now automatically detects inconsistencies in payroll data, helping to uncover potential errors and suggest corrective measures for HR and payroll teams to review and approve. This timely intervention is crucial for payroll practitioners and managers who often spend considerable time determining the causes of anomalies in payroll data.

“At ADP, we recognise the critical challenges that HR and payroll teams face when it comes to compliance, time management and efficiency. Our new introduction of this ADP Assist agent keeps people at the centre with a human-centric approach and empowers payroll teams with the accuracy and support they need to optimise their operations,” said Frank Smits, Senior Vice President of Global Payroll at ADP. “By utilising advanced AI technology that is supported by over 75 years of workforce data and expertise and rigorously assessed and refined based on client feedback, we are streamlining processes while effectively mitigating risks.”

Confronting real-world complexities to drive productivity and maximise time-saving

The new ADP Assist AI agent transforms payroll management, enabling payroll practitioners to engage with data more intuitively. It facilitates seamless queries, enhances accuracy and boosts process efficiency, all while fostering ongoing innovation for future advancements.

• Natural language query capability: through the integrated AI platform ADP Assist, Payroll Variance enables users to pose questions in natural language, ending the need for complex reporting. For example, queries like “What pay elements have a variance of 10%?” or “Which employee had a significant net pay difference this cycle?” can be answered quickly, providing actionable insights directly within the ADP Global Payroll portal.

• Anticipating accuracy and simplified processes: early adopters of Payroll Variance report critical time savings, with experts estimating an average reduction range of up to 30 minutes per payroll cycle due to proactive error prevention. When these savings are applied across multiple payroll cycles throughout the year, and in some countries where payroll is processed twice a month, these time savings accumulate substantially. This AI agent not only offers smart and timely assistance to help practitioners identify and understand inconsistencies or deviations in payroll data before an error can happen; it simplifies the auditing process and suggests and facilitates remediations under human oversight, saving them time on manual reconciliation and ensuring a streamlined payroll experience for global teams.

• Innovate for the future: ADP is committed to continuous innovation. To further support people in this rapidly evolving landscape, ADP will continue to introduce new ADP Assist features to connect actions and information across departments, roles and workflows. 

“The developments demonstrate our commitment to apply AI to address real-world HR challenges. We continue to build an AI-assisted workforce to reduce the burdens of time-consuming manual processes, thereby increasing productivity in the workplace. With ethical AI principles rigorously examined and embedded  at every stage of our developments, we maintain the highest standards of compliance, governance, and security from the outset“, concluded Frank Smits.

For more information about ADP Assist AI agents and how they can unlock your company’s potential with AI capabilities, please visit ADP.com/ai-agents.

Work in Australia is changing fast. AI is reshaping how jobs are done, which skills matter most, and how careers are built. As this pace accelerates, many professionals are looking for clear, practical guidance on how to stay relevant and get ahead. LinkedIn and Microsoft marked the Australian launch of Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI, a new book published by HarperCollins, designed to build confidence, clarity and purpose for professionals as AI becomes part of everyday work.

Written by LinkedIn’s CEO and EVP of Microsoft Office and Copilot, Ryan Roslansky, and LinkedIn Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, Aneesh Raman, Open to Work draws on insights from over a billion LinkedIn members, alongside Microsoft research. Grounded in real-world experiences from people at work today, the book offers a clear, practical approach that shows how people can use AI as a tool to get ahead at work.

Matt Tindale, Managing Director, LinkedIn, Australia & NZ, said:“The world of work is changing faster than most of us expected, and it’s okay to find that daunting. But the data tells us that Australians are more ready to adapt than they might think. A new LinkedIn poll found that 78% of Australians feel either relieved or curious when AI takes on tasks they used to do at work – and that openness is exactly the mindset that gets people ahead. Open to Work is a practical guide to channeling that momentum – focusing on the creativity, curiosity and communication that no machine can replicate.”

To mark the Australian launch, LinkedIn hosted an event in Sydney, bringing together experts in talent retention and recruitment, LinkedIn Top Voices, and industry leaders for a panel discussion on how AI is reshaping work in Australia. 

The panel featured Brendan Wong, Editor of LinkedIn News and LinkedIn Career Expert; Sarah Carney, National CTO at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand; Sam Koslowski, Co‑Founder of The Daily Aus; and Jessica Farrell, Chief People Officer at Publicis Groupe ANZ, who shared practical perspectives on how professionals of all ages can adapt and get ahead as work continues to evolve.

Sarah Carney, National CTO at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, said: “AI is moving from something people read about to something they’re expected to use at work – and that can feel like a big shift. The most important step is to start small, stay curious, and practice, because confidence comes from doing. When you pair AI literacy with human strengths like judgement, communication and creativity, it becomes a real advantage in your day-to-day work and your career. That’s why resources that share practical guidance like Open to Work are so important.” 

The changing reality of work in Australia 

A new LinkedIn poll captures where Australians are landing emotionally, with many approaching the shift with openness. When asked how they feel when AI takes over tasks they used to do at work, 42% say they feel relieved because it frees them up, and 36% say they are curious about what comes next. Only 17% say they feel threatened.

While many Australians recognise the opportunity AI presents, the pace of change can feel daunting. More than a third (37%) of Australian professionals say they feel overwhelmed by how quickly they’re expected to understand and use AI at work, yet nearly two‑thirds (63%) believe those who resist AI tools risk falling behind. At the same time, trust in human judgement remains strong, with 82% saying trusted human insight is irreplaceable, even as AI becomes more advanced.

Recent LinkedIn research shows how rapidly this shift is playing out:

• Hiring for AI talent has grown more than 300% over the past nine years, creating 1.3 million new roles, with 8 in 10 C‑suite leaders prioritising hiring someone with AI confidence over experience alone.
• Skills on the Rise data shows that AI and data skills now make up the largest share of Australia’s fastest‑growing skills in 2026, with ‘Prompt Engineering’ emerging as a sought‑after capability.
• AI literacy is accelerating across Australian workplaces, up 32% year‑on‑year across firms and 60% in large enterprises.
• The majority (90%) of Chief People Officers in Australia expect work to be organised around skills rather than traditional job titles as roles evolve.

Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI is now available in Australia via major retailers and online platforms.

For small business leaders, AI is no longer optional—but managing its risks is becoming just as critical as adopting it. From increasing costs and economic volatility to workforce shortages, rapidly evolving technologies such as AI are also impacting business operations at a faster rate. While there are many benefits to AI, it also brings new expectations and commitments around risk, compliance and ethical decision-making.

Risk sits at the centre of every organisation’s ability to operate, grow and adapt. Given the ever-evolving AI landscape, navigating these complex organisational changes while protecting people, reputation and long-term performance is critical. For small businesses, understanding how to manage both the opportunities and challenges is essential.

The Main Challenges Small Businesses Face

In theory, AI is hugely beneficial for businesses — automating tasks, reshaping decision-making and innovating processes. However, in practice, adopting it responsibly is more complex. Many leaders struggle to balance compliance with innovation, staying ahead of technology changes while maintaining proper risk structures to avoid issues. Balancing immediate implementation with long-term flexibility is a major challenge, particularly when trying to keep pace with change while maintaining control over operations and risk exposure.

Small businesses are already experiencing this. In sectors such as cleaning, maintenance and security, organisations are balancing the adoption of new technologies with compliance and governance, daily. As businesses diversify into other sectors, operational landscapes grow more complex and new risks emerge. For instance, at SKG Services, we recently expanded into the construction sector, which brings with it a whole new set of challenges, complexities and technologies, such as increased WHS risks and requirements, 3D printing and robotics.

Ensuring workplace safety is critical at a time when AI use is difficult to monitor, particularly when employees use it to streamline work or maintain speed, which can risk exposing sensitive or confidential data.

Spotting and Mitigating Risks Before They Escalate

The biggest mistake small businesses make is treating risk as a response function instead of a leadership discipline. Too often, risks only receive attention after a compliance breach, safety incident or customer complaint.

Instead, businesses can implement structured ways to proactively identify and mitigate risks early, such as routine checks, scenario planning and feedback loops that flag risks and issues before they arise or escalate. For example, while AI tools can increase efficiency, a compliance risk arises if sensitive company or client data is uploaded to unsecured platforms.

Another key risk is the over-reliance on unvalidated AI outputs. While the potential benefits of quickly inputting scenarios into AI are undeniable, failing to verify source data can undermine an organisation’s credibility. This risk is particularly pronounced among newer members of the workforce, who may not yet have the experience or critical thinking skills required to properly assess and validate information, leading to an overdependence on AI as a source of truth.

By consistently learning from data and patterns — whether in workforce trends, customer feedback, or compliance reports — businesses can shift from reactive to proactive decision-making. As organisations face increasing regulatory, technological and operational pressures, effective risk leadership is essential for building stronger, safer and more resilient operations through clear governance, responsible practices and proactive risk management. By integrating these insights, leaders can act with confidence, addressing issues before they become critical and aligning operations with strategic objectives. Predictive analytics doesn’t remove risk entirely, but it empowers decision-making that is evidence-based, timely and strategic.

Adopting AI Ethically, Fairly and Inclusively

As AI becomes part of business operations, ethical considerations must stay front and centre. For diverse teams — including people whose first language isn’t English — rolling out new systems without thoughtful design risks creating bias or exclusion.

One of the things we’ve learned at SKG Services is that AI must support everyone, not just those who are “tech comfortable.” This means building training pathways, supporting different learning needs and continuously testing systems to ensure they are fair, unbiased and transparent. Ethics in AI isn’t just good practice — it’s how you protect your people and your reputation.

One of the tech foundation blocks helping organisations like ours stay nimble is the use of APIs (application programming interfaces). APIs allow businesses to plug in new tools without rebuilding their systems—making it easier to adapt as AI evolves. APIs aren’t new but are particularly well-suited to small businesses dealing with the unknowns of AI because they make systems modular and adaptable. If AI tools change or a new capability comes along, you don’t have to overhaul your entire tech stack — you can swap, upgrade or innovate quickly.

Building Resilience Through Smart Decision Frameworks

Operating resilience isn’t just about surviving a single disruption — it’s about building the capacity to adapt and continue performing amid ongoing change. This requires embedding risk and compliance into everyday decisions, rather than isolating them in policy manuals. While implementing these practices may be demanding in the short term, it ensures long-term frameworks are in place, teams understand their responsibilities and the organisation can respond confidently and safely when challenges arise.

Small businesses that integrate risk thinking into financial planning, staffing, supplier management, and operational processes can harness AI to strengthen resilience. AI can help identify anomalies in operations, detect emerging compliance issues, forecast disruptions and provide predictive insights for decision-making. In workplace safety, AI-powered monitoring, predictive maintenance and training simulations reduce hazards and human error, while automated compliance checks reinforce safe practices across teams.

By embedding AI-driven risk management and operational safety into everyday decisions, organisations remain agile while maintaining control over operations and reputation.

Turning Risk into Opportunity with AI

The goal isn’t to use AI for the sake of it — it’s to make better decisions, improve flexibility and free up time to focus on what matters most: your people, customers and long-term success. Embracing these principles allows small businesses to transform risk from a source of anxiety into a catalyst for growth, building stronger, safer, and more resilient operations in a world where change is constant.

Contributed by Tracey Browers Group General Manager Risk at SKG Services, a national commercial cleaning, maintenance and security services company.

Atradius, a global leader in trade credit insurance and debt collection services, has released its latest Payment Practices Barometer – Australia 2026 report, revealing that while headline business to business (B2B) payment performance appears stable, underlying shifts in customer behaviour and economic conditions are creating growing pressure on business cash flow.

Based on January to March 2026 survey of 210 predominately micro-Australian businesses, the report highlights a complex trading environment shaped by persistent inflation, elevated interest rates, and tightening access to finance. These conditions are driving a greater reliance on trade credit, with nearly 60 per cent of B2B transactions now conducted on terms, effectively positioning suppliers as a key source of funding across the economy. 

While this reliance on trade credit supports sales and customer relationships, it also increases exposure to payment risk, particularly as customers manage their own liquidity constraints more selectively.

Joe Lewis, head of client services, Oceania, Atradius, said, “On the surface, payment performance in Australia looks relatively stable. However, what we’re seeing underneath is a shift in how businesses prioritise payments. Companies are holding onto cash for longer and making more deliberate decisions about which suppliers to pay first, which creates uneven pressure across supply chains.”

The report finds that 82 per cent of B2B invoices are paid on time, with 18 per cent overdue. Bad debt levels remain relatively low overall, suggesting a degree of payment discipline across the market. However, this stability is being driven in part by stricter credit controls and shorter payment terms imposed by suppliers seeking to protect their own cash flow. 

Joe Lewis said, “Many businesses are now offering early payment discounts and tightening credit policies, while at the same time facing pressure from larger customers to accept extended payment terms. This dynamic is particularly challenging for SMEs, which often pay suppliers faster than they are paid themselves, placing additional strain on working capital.”

While most overdue invoices are settled within 30 days, longer delays create a clear credit risk hotspot, as the likelihood of non-payment increases significantly over time. 

Key Payment Practices Barometer research findings include:

– 82 per cent of B2B invoices are paid on time, with 18 per cent overdue 

– 75 per cent of overdue invoices are settled within 30 days of the due date

– customer cash flow issues are the leading cause of late payments at 37 per cent, followed by banking delays at 19 per cent, slow internal approvals at 13 per cent, and e-invoicing or payment platform issues at 13 per cent

– 60 per cent of businesses expect insolvency risk among B2B customers to remain elevated over the next 12 months. 

Beneath the overall stable payment picture, the report identifies clear risk hotspots in construction, export-oriented industries, and among SMEs dealing with larger buyers. These sectors are more exposed to cost pressures, longer payment cycles, and fluctuating demand, which can intensify liquidity stress.

Tax obligations and rising operating costs also drive additional pressure, which can trigger short-term liquidity crunches and increase the likelihood of delayed payments during key financial periods. 

Joe Lewis said, “Looking ahead, Australian businesses are increasingly concerned about global uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions, rising transport and energy costs, and ongoing supply chain disruptions are expected to continue influencing payment behaviour over the next 12 months. Many businesses anticipate a shift toward more selective payment practices as companies prioritise essential suppliers and conserve cash.”

Profit margins will likely remain under pressure, particularly in fuel-intensive sectors, construction, logistics, and consumer-facing industries. Higher financing costs are widening the gap between businesses with strong cash flow management and those more exposed to external shocks. 

Joe Lewis said, “In today’s environment, working capital management is no longer just a financial function. It’s a strategic priority. Businesses need to take a proactive approach to credit risk, strengthen their credit management processes, and closely monitor customer behaviour to protect liquidity and maintain resilience.”

The report also indicates a growing recognition of credit insurance as a strategic tool to help businesses manage payment risk, protect cash flow, and support sustainable growth in an increasingly uncertain market.

The Atradius Payment Practices Barometer – Australia 2026 provides timely insights for finance leaders navigating evolving payment behaviours and a more complex risk environment.

To access the full report and explore detailed sector insights, visit: https://atradius.com.au/Knowledge-and-research/reports/b2b-payment-practices-trends-in-australia-2026

Leading Australian fintech Zeller is ramping up competition in the payments market, launching a new all-in-one POS and payment terminal to undercut incumbents Square and Tyro, and save the average business up to $2,000 annually on payments hardware and POS software fees at a time when merchants are struggling under mounting financial pressure.

The new Zeller Terminal 1x (T1x) combines payments and point-of-sale (POS) into a single device — priced at a low one-time price of $199 with no ongoing monthly software or hardware fees — positioning it as one of the most affordable end-to-end checkout solutions in Australia.

“The Australian payments landscape has become more complex than it needs to be. Businesses are often forced into ecosystems with ongoing fees and limited flexibility. We built Zeller T1x to challenge that — giving merchants a simple, affordable alternative that works out of the box, integrates with the systems they already use, and enables them to run more efficiently” said Ben Pfisterer, Zeller CEO and co-founder. 

The launch comes as Australian SMEs continue to grapple with rising operating costs, from fuel and wages to software subscriptions. 

Zeller T1x targets the “hidden costs” of getting paid

Zeller is betting that cost-conscious businesses are looking beyond transaction fees, focusing on lowering the broader cost base. By bundling free, built-in POS software into the terminal, Zeller T1x eliminates the need for third-party POS systems that costs the average small business over $1,800 annually on fees alone. 

For merchants, that means the end of recurring subscription fees, the need for separate hardware, and complex POS integrations. The result is a simplified, lower-cost setup at a time when every expense line is under pressure.

“Every dollar matters for small businesses right now. What we’re hearing from Zeller’s 100,000+ customers nationally is that it’s not just transaction fees — it’s the stack of ongoing costs that add up.” commented Pfisterer. “T1x strips all of that back. By combining payments and POS into one device with no ongoing POS software fees, we’re helping businesses reduce overheads and keep more of what they earn.”

A play for mobile and micro businesses

Zeller T1x is designed for the 2 million Australian businesses selling face-to-face, a segment dominated by sole traders and micro operators from tradies to market sellers, hospitality operators, and service providers. With new research from COSBOA reporting that 72% of small businesses cite rising fuel, insurance and wage costs as their biggest growth barriers, Zeller T1x helps ease the pressure by eliminating the need for separate POS software and third-party providers — bringing everything together in one affordable solution.

Premium payment terminals, without the premium price tag

Beyond pricing, Zeller also continues its hardware-led differentiation strategy. It builds upon its success with the 2024 release of Zeller Terminal 2 which went on to become the world’s most award-winning payment terminal after being recognised for a 2025 Australian Good Design Award, and both a WeMoney Merchant Terminal of the Year and Merchant Payment Provider of the Year Award.

T1x is an upgrade to the original Zeller Terminal 1 which redefined payment terminals in the Australian market with seamless POS integrations,  large format colour screen, and advanced functionality to streamline the modern checkout. 

Key features of Zeller T1x include:

• 6.7-inch HD touchscreen, the largest of any payment terminal on the market
• Improved durability for high-volume usage
• Built-in thermal receipt printer
• Digital receipts via SMS, email, or QR code
• Long-life battery enabling over 1,000 transactions on a single charge
• Zeller’s industry-leading payments uptime 
• Wi-Fi, SIM and Ethernet connectivity, supporting both fixed and mobile selling

The upgraded design reflects a shift toward more versatile, multi-functional devices.

Open ecosystem vs closed platforms

Unlike competitors which steer merchants into proprietary ecosystems, Zeller is also emphasising flexibility by delivering seamless integrations with systems that merchants already use in their business. 

Zeller T1x integrates with over 600 third-party POS systems and a range of self-service kiosk checkout solutions, enabling businesses to maintain their existing technology stack, switch without friction, and scale without being locked into a single platform — positioning Zeller as a more open alternative in a market where vendor lock-in has become a growing concern for scaling businesses.

Timing aligned with SME pressure

The launch lands at a critical moment for Australia’s small business sector, with cost-of-living pressures flowing through to both consumers and operators. As margins tighten, reducing fixed costs — particularly recurring software and hardware expenses — has become a priority.

Zeller’s bet is that simplifying payments into a single, low-cost device with no ongoing POS fees will resonate with businesses looking to streamline operations and protect margins.

Zeller Terminal 1x is available now online from Zeller or Amazon for $199.

Oracle NetSuite, the #1 AI cloud ERP, has announced the latest additions to NetSuite AI Connector Service that help customers connect the AI models of their choice to NetSuite data and apply AI more effectively across their business. The latest additions include NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion, support for the NetSuite Model Context Protocol (MCP) Apps extension, and expanded support for NetSuite Analytics Warehouse.

“We are committed to providing the most intelligent, extensible, and AI-ready system,” said Evan Goldberg, founder and executive vice president, Oracle NetSuite. “A strong data foundation is critical, but we also have to meet our customers where they are. Many are already working with AI assistants, and these extensions of the NetSuite AI Connector Service make it even easier and more intuitive to securely connect their own AI to their data and workflows.”

NetSuite AI Connector Service is a standards-driven integration service supporting MCP. It enables customers to bring their own AI assistants to NetSuite in a secure, governed way while controlling how those assistants access and interact with NetSuite data, workflows, and analytics. With the additions of the new NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion, MCP Apps support, and expanded support for NetSuite Analytics Warehouse, customers can apply AI more effectively across their business while maintaining governance and control.

NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion

NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion delivers a finance-grade AI experience that helps AI assistants understand NetSuite’s data, permissions, and workflows so that customers can use AI more reliably and consistently across finance and operations. With NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion, customers can:

• Use AI without prompt engineering expertise and ensure outputs are grounded in NetSuite data: Access a curated Prompt Library of more than 100 finance-specific prompt templates aligned to NetSuite’s data structures, permissions, and terminology. Customers can also customise prompts by editing existing templates or adding their own prompts. Prompts are organised by business processes and recommended roles.
• Standardise how AI is used across teams and ensure consistent outputs across workflows: NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion Skills provide supported AI models with reusable NetSuite-specific instructions, context, and best practices that help transform general-purpose AI agents into NetSuite specialists.
• Maintain governance and control AI access: MCP-ready roles provide preconfigured access patterns that map AI capabilities to NetSuite roles such as CFO, Controller, Accounts Receivable Analyst, Accounts Payable Analyst, and Treasury Analyst.

NetSuite MCP Apps

NetSuite MCP Apps extend the NetSuite AI Connector Service by bringing familiar NetSuite user experiences directly into popular AI assistants. Instead of relying solely on text-based prompts, MCP Apps allow users to interact with NetSuite data through structured interfaces such as filters, selectors, and forms rendered directly inside popular AI assistants. Examples of MCP Apps include the Prompt Library, Report Picker, and Record Picker. With NetSuite MCP Apps, customers can:

• Use popular AI assistants through familiar NetSuite-style interfaces instead of complex prompts: Configure reports, select records, access the Prompt Library, and navigate NetSuite data using structured menus and selectors inside popular AI assistants.
• Work more efficiently with structured, guided interactions: Reduce trial-and-error prompting by using interactive filters, selectors, and parameter menus.
• Use NetSuite with the AI platform of their choice: Interact with NetSuite data through supported AI assistants while maintaining governance and role-based access controls.

NetSuite AI Connector Service for NetSuite Analytics Warehouse

Extends AI access beyond transactional ERP data in NetSuite to include historical, analytical, and third-party data stored in NetSuite Analytics Warehouse. This enables customers to use AI for broader analytics, forecasting, and cross-system analysis across their business data.

Availability

The NetSuite AI Connector Service Companion and the NetSuite AI Connector Service for NetSuite Analytics Warehouse are now available in English worldwide, with plans to expand to additional languages. NetSuite MCP Apps are planned for release as part of the MCP Standard Tools SuiteApp and will be available through the SuiteApp Marketplace.