About Angus Jones

Angus started his first small business in 1989 and has since gone on to have a successful career in marketing. He realised although there were many websites for small business none was addressing the question of how to. Angus has a passion to articulate benefits that add value to customers/readers.

Why SME should declutter their workspaces

Every new year, people have ambitious resolutions for fresh beginnings, especially within businesses. Many businesses take the opportunity to declutter and optimise space in the workplace. Having an organised environment is the foundation for productivity, happy employees and workplace efficiency. Resetting the workplace often can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Declutter with purpose

The first step in workplace optimisation is addressing clutter. Many SMEs accumulate unnecessary items over time, from outdated files to surplus equipment. Taking a methodical approach to decluttering can help. Start by categorising items into essentials, non-essentials and disposables. Essential items should remain easily accessible, while non-essentials can be stored or donated. Dispose of what no longer serves a purpose.

While creating physical space, this process also helps with mental clarity. A decluttered environment is crucial in order for employees to focus and be less distracted. 

Reimagine the layout

An efficient layout is key to a productive workplace. Start by observing how employees move around the office and identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. The design of the space should support your team’s workflows and collaboration.

For example, creating designated zones for different activities, such as quiet areas for focused work and open spaces for team collaboration, can ensure functionality. Flexible furniture and modular designs are also excellent choices for SMEs, as they allow for easy reconfiguration as the business evolves.

Incorporate smart storage solutions

Storage is vital in maintaining an organised workspace. Consider vertical shelving, under-desk storage and wall-mounted organisers. These are practical for space, especially in small offices. This helps keep the aesthetic while maximising utility. Labelling systems and digital inventory management tools can also help keep stock and office supplies in check.

Adopt a long-term mindset

Decluttering and reorganising are important. However, sustaining the system consistently is also one to remember and it requires a long-term commitment. Schedule regular decluttering sessions, assign responsibilities for shared spaces and involve employees in keeping the office tidy.

Additionally, integrating technology can streamline operations. Digital file management systems, automated scheduling tools and cloud storage solutions reduce paper clutter and improve accessibility.

Benefits of optimisation

The advantages of a well-organised workspace extend beyond aesthetics. A decluttered, thoughtfully designed environment can boost employee satisfaction and productivity. Workers are more likely to feel motivated in a space that feels open and welcoming. Furthermore, clients and partners visiting the office will be left with a positive impression of the business’ professionalism.

As 2025 unfolds, SMEs have a chance to embrace the transformative power of workspace optimisation. By decluttering, reimagining layouts and committing to long-term strategies, businesses can create environments that inspire success and  innovation. As a storage solutions provider, we at Super Easy Storage also try to maintain that level of commitment in our own workplace.

These practical guidelines can help an individual’s journey to a more organised and productive workspace.

By Jordana Thirlwall, Co-Founder of Super Easy Storage and Certified Interior Designer

Are small businesses thinking big in 2025?

Contributed by Rakesh Prabhakar, Head of Zoho Australia and New Zealand

Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs, go-getters, and big-thinkers. For 2.5 million Australians running a small business, the pursuit of independence, passion, and potential has always come with its share of challenges. The last few years have been particularly difficult for SMBs in the country, with closures hitting a four-year high, and insolvency rates currently 25% higher than they were pre-pandemic.

Last year was no different. The vast majority (89%) of Australian SMBs saw their operating costs increase in the last 18 months, according to Zoho’s Financial Health of Australian Small Businesses research. In response, three in four (78%) have been forced to increase their costs, passing the burden onto customers. However, that too has had unforeseen problems, with a further three quarters (73.9%) saying their revenue slowed; and ‘significantly’, for four in ten.

But as we step into 2025, the stakes feel higher than ever. But so too does the optimism, according to our research. Almost half (46.6%) of our SMB community anticipate stronger cash flow in the months ahead, and many see growth opportunities beyond 2024. Nearly one in three (29.3%) “see a lot of growth opportunity” in the next 12-18 months, while 33.7% believe they’re “recovering nicely”.

But as small businesses begin to think big in 2025, how can they turn their optimism into growth?

Build relationships, enhance experiences

Australians are renowned for their strong support of local business, which has only increased in recent years. Consumers are still feeling the pressures of high interest rates and inflation, so they are being cautious and considered in the businesses they engage with. They will, however, gravitate to those who build relationships and enhance the customer experience. For many Aussies, customer experience is one of the most influential factors when choosing who to engage with. Consumers would be willing to spend more for enhanced customer service, further cementing its influence on acquisition, retention and ROI.

In 2025, SMBs should think about how they can turn customer experience into a competitive advantage. Start with seeking feedback, whether through surveys, casual conversations, or social media polls. Not only does it show their experience and opinion matters, but the insights can be turned into personalised strategies. An investment in a customer relationship management (CRM) system is an investment in customers, as it allows an SMB to track preferences and purchase history, enabling personalised offers, targeted email campaigns or loyalty rewards.

Beyond that, simple gestures like promptly replying to messages, responding to reviews or recognising a customer when they enter an SMB’s store or office can go a long way.

Embracing and optimising tech, data, and automation

Of course, it’s far easier today to provide stellar customer service when it’s built on a foundation of technology. Not only embracing technology – but optimising it – should be another big focus for SMBs in 2025. Thankfully, that’s the case for many SMBs. Our research found that the biggest priority for SMBs in 2025 is staying afloat, followed closely by automating or digitising their business.

SMBs should start by analysing their technology stack. Are platforms integrated, or are silos – for example between particular platforms, processes, or departments – increasing manual handling and reducing transparency and efficiency? Can metrics like cash flow, customer retention and acquisition rates and employee productivity be tracked in real time? Is technology providing an ROI or an added burden?

Integrated technology stacks that consolidate crucial tools – from sales and marketing to collaboration, finance and more – can provide real-time insights that are essential for making smarter, growth-focused decisions. When SMBs rely on fewer vendors, it keeps their costs down, and improves the business-wide operations. Just as critical as integrating technology is automating it.

Time is a priceless commodity for SMBs, so automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks like invoicing, data entry or sending follow-up emails frees up time for more strategic work. With all technology adoption, it should be careful and planned, rather than rushed. SMBs should start by automating specific tasks – like setting up payment reminders or data entry – then build from there.

On that foundation, SMBs can then benefit from more sophisticated forms of automation, for example related to Business Intelligence (BI). BI helps SMBs analyse their data to both understand performance and identify opportunities for growth. For example, BI platforms like Zoho Analytics can visualise, in real-time, which products or services generate the most revenue, which marketing channels are the most profitable or which employees are the most productive.

By identifying patterns and trends, SMBs can make strategic, proactive adjustments – whether stocking up on a popular item, prioritising certain demographics or providing more training for an underperforming team member. BI is ‘predictive’ too, which means SMBs can use historic data to forecast and predict performance. For example, what do sales from 2024 mean for 2025, and how can SMBs use that insight to proactively mitigate risks or maximise growth opportunities?

In 2025, SMBs should focus on being tech-powered and customer-focused. By prioritising customer relationships and experience, and investing in integrated, automated and insight-driven technology, small businesses could be justified in their big thinking in the months ahead.

Rally Camera Streamline tracks presenter

Logitech has introduced Rally Camera Streamline Kit, a comprehensive USB Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) video solution designed for hyflex learning environments and modern workspaces. As higher education institutions strive to meet the evolving needs of their audiences, the demand for lecture capture content has never been greater. Whether engaging with content in-person, online or asynchronously, audiences require seamless experiences tailored for their preferences. Built around Logitech’s flagship Rally Camera, the kit enables easy switching between preset camera views, installation and troubleshooting.
“PTZ cameras with speaker tracking for lecture capture are often overly complex and expensive, adding unnecessary hardware to standard USB AV setups while creating unpredictable and distracting user experiences,” said Michele Hermann, vice president and general manager of Logitech for Education. “The Rally Camera Streamline Kit is an accessible and easy-to-install solution that minimises setup complexity while enhancing both user experience and content delivery.” The Rally Camera Streamline Kit enables presenters to stay in the flow and control their narrative, delivering an engaging experience for their audience. Presenters can easily switch preset PTZ views on the camera using intuitive, contextually-placed buttons, simplifying the setup for AV teams while eliminating the need for presenter training required in these spaces. 
The solution uses Rally Camera and an Extension Kit, comprised of a camera side base which can be connected and powered up to 100 metres away via category cable to a control box that interfaces directly with USB-based AV equipment. The simplified mounting options for wall, inverted National Pipe Thread (NPT) mounting and tripods along with discreet cable routing enable efficient and professional looking installations. The solution leveraging Rally Camera, and its USB based technology, seamlessly works with most operating systems, as well as the most popular video collaboration and lecture capture platforms making it a versatile addition to any presentation environment.

Top-selling items from the holidays

The latest monthly product trends update from Shopify is in, and we’ve also pulled out the top-selling items from Boxing Day specifically. 

As with previous versions, Shopify analysed first-party platform data to reveal Australia’s top trending products for December and Australia’s favourite Boxing Day purchases. Shopify powers 25% of all online commerce in Australia, for reference.

Diving into Boxing Day sales, Shopify discovered that Apparel and Beauty products dominated the top-selling product categories. The full list is below, based on the total volume of items sold. 

10 top-selling items from Boxing Day by total volume:

  1. Shorts 
  2. Lotions & Moisturisers 
  3. Nail Polishes 
  4. Eye Makeup 
  5. Body Makeup 
  6. Face Makeup 
  7. Boxer Briefs 
  8. Temporary Tattoos
  9. Trunks 
  10. Sunscreen 

Across the whole of December, Aussies embraced creativity, celebration, and self-improvement. The data below is based on trending products, which are those that have seen the biggest month-on-month spikes. 

Arts and crafts 

  • Aussies found themselves flexing their creative muscles over the holiday season, with the highest trending product category in December being Colouring Books & Pads, which went up by 1345.1%.
  • With the new year upon us, it’s the time to prepare the vision boards and take up journaling as a resolution. Bulletin Board Accessories (80.7%), Bulletin Boards (17.6%), Journals (12.5%) and Pens & Pencils (11%) all saw significant spikes MoM.

Holiday happenings

  • The holiday season brought a surge in festive favourites, with Note Cards skyrocketing by 224.1% and Greeting Cards up 144.7% as people spread cheer far and wide.
  • Shopify data proved that indulging in seafood remains a beloved holiday tradition with Fresh & Frozen Seafood sales jumping 64.4% in December. Sweet treats like Cherries (28.5%) and Chocolate-Covered Fruit (27.7%) also made their way onto holiday tables. 
  •  Outside of mealtimes, Aussies kept safety top of mind, with Breathalyser sales soaring 77% as drivers stayed mindful of holiday double demerits.
  • However, not all festive traditions endured during the Christmas season with advent calendars seeing a 90.6% MoM decline. 

Waiting for boxing day to stock up on essentials

  • Boxing Day was all about stocking up on our fashion, health and beauty essentials.  Shorts took the highly anticipated top spot, followed by a range of skincare favourites,
  • with Lotions & Moisturisers, Nail polishes, Eye Makeup and Sunscreen all landing in the top 10 products purchased. 
  • Boxer Briefs ranked as the 7th most purchased item despite overall sales dropping by 67.1% MoM in December, while Trunks ranked 9th, continuing with the trend of shopping for bottoms.
  • But it wasn’t all about stocking up on everyday essentials. Surprisingly, Temporary Tattoos ranked 8th on our shopping lists on Boxing Day as Aussies got festival-ready or sought to adorn themselves with something fun during summer. 

New year, new me, new hobby

  • As the year wrapped up, Aussies set their sights on cultivating new hobbies and deepening existing passions. Many tuned into their musical side, with Electronic Musical Instruments soaring by 85.8%, while others aimed to capture memories with Instant Film Cameras up 72.2%. 
  • Gamers freshened up their favourite consoles with Portable Game Console Skins seeing a 132.8% spike, while green thumbs emerged as Greenhouse purchases grew.
  • This year might be the one where Aussies finally invest in their dream ride, with Motorcycles & Scooters sales soaring by 102.2%. They’re also gearing up to ride the waves, as Bodyboards sales rose by 47.8% and Wakeboard Parts by 40.2% MoM in December.
  • Aussies are unleashing their inner kitchen wiz, and are taking on new kitchen ventures with Yogurt Makers (41.9%.), French Presses (30.6%), and Barbecue Briquettes (26.7%) coming in hot in December. 
  • But while many Aussies opened their wallets for their hobbies, spending on everyday essentials remained important with the rise in Toilet Paper (79.3%) to purchases of Electric Toothbrushes which grew by 69.6%.

Please see other key figures below:

Top-selling items in December:

  1. Colouring books & pads 1345.1%
  2. Underwater Camera Housings 531.1%
  3. Sound Synthesisers 263.9%
  4. Note Cards 224.1%
  5. Greeting & Note Cards 144.7%
  6. Electric Traps 141.9%
  7. Portable Game Console Skins 132.8%
  8. Motorcycles & Scooters 102.2%
  9. Water Sport Tow Cables 98.7%
  10. Electronic Musical Instruments 85.8%

Top trending tech products:

  1. Portable Game Console Skins – 132.8%
  2. Tablet Computer Parts – 43.7%
  3. Game Racing Wheels –  42%
  4. Turntables & Record Players – 39.5%
  5. Radios – 38.5%
  6. Satellite Receivers – 36.3%
  7. Game Controller Accessories – 32.1%
  8. Hard Drive Carrying Cases – 29%
  9. Portable Game Console Cases – 28.9%
  10. DJ Systems – 28.7%

Top trending food and beverage products:

  1. Oat Drinks – 75.4%
  2. Fresh & Frozen Seafood – 64.4%
  3. Seafood – 57.7%
  4. Cheese – 33.2%
  5. Cherries – 28.5%
  6. Chocolate Covered Fruit – 27.7%
  7. Stone Fruits – 24.8%
  8. Pastries & Scones – 24.4%
  9. Donuts – 24.3%
  10. Garlic – 22.9%

Top trending apparel products:

  1. Satchel Bags – 65.7%
  2. Wig Accessories – 56.3%
  3. Card Cases – 49.1%
  4. Track Jackets – 42.9%
  5. Bucket Bags – 25.9%
  6. Cowboy Hats – 16.3%
  7. Sweatpants – 14.8%
  8. Snow Pants & Suits – 14.8%
  9. Bucket Hats – 14.5%
  10. Watch Winders – 14.4%

Methodology: 

  • December sales by Shopify merchants in Australia are based on data from December 2024, compared to data from November 2024.
  • Boxing Day sales by Shopify merchants in Australia are based on the volume of sales per category on December 26, 2024. 

Five reasons your Australia Day sales strategy should include digital signage

The sales period around Australia Day is one of the most lucrative retail opportunities of the year. It’s a peak time for outdoor activities, social gatherings, and leisure, with many Australians taking advantage of the public holiday or long weekend, increasing spending on food, entertainment, and travel-related purchases.

With fierce competition for customers, businesses need every advantage to stand out and succeed. If you’re looking for a powerful way to boost your strategy, digital signage should be top of your list. This innovative tool can drive foot traffic, increase sales, and enhance customer engagement in ways traditional methods simply can’t match.

Here are five reasons why digital signage should be a cornerstone of your Australia Day sales strategy.

Drive immediate customer action

Australia Day sales are a prime time for shoppers looking for the best deals—and it’s essential to capture their attention. Whether you’re promoting a specific product or a storewide discount, eye-catching digital displays can motivate customers to act fast, helping you maximise sales during the holiday period.

Unlike static signage, digital displays can be updated in real-time to reflect new deals or inventory changes, ensuring your messaging stays fresh and relevant. You can also use data-driven insights to adapt your content to customer behaviour and market trends, making your campaigns more effective.

Maximise your marketing budget

Digital signage offers a cost-effective and highly targeted way to convert customer interest into purchases. Advanced platforms equipped with AI make it simple to design and schedule content for your Australia Day promotions, reducing the need for expensive graphic designers or hours spent creating signage manually.

With AI tools, you can customise high-quality designs in minutes, set your schedule, and let the screens do the rest. Beyond Australia Day, the insights gained from your campaigns can help you refine your marketing strategies for future events, making digital signage a smart, long-term investment.

Reach customers around the clock

Australia Day isn’t limited to a single day—many shoppers expect extended sales, which can be a logistical challenge for businesses. Digital signage simplifies this process by enabling you to promote your sales 24/7.

For stores located in busy shopping centres or along high-traffic streets, digital displays can capture attention even after closing hours. By scheduling your content strategically, you can build anticipation for your Australia Day deals and attract customers when your doors reopen. This around-the-clock visibility ensures your sales remain top-of-mind.

Strategically promote additional purchases

Impulse buying is a key driver of sales during events like Australia Day. By placing digital displays near your point-of-sale (POS) or checkout areas, you can encourage customers to make last-minute purchases, cross-sell complementary items, or take advantage of “buy more, save more” offers.

Thanks to the flexibility of AI-driven platforms, you can easily update your displays to reflect stock levels or changing customer interests. For instance, a screen highlighting accessories that complement a shopper’s purchase can boost transaction values and enhance their overall experience.

Australia Day sales are also an important opportunity to create a memorable shopping experience that keeps customers coming back. Digital signage can play a crucial role in elevating the in-store experience by engaging shoppers and guiding their journey.

Strategically placed screens can highlight featured products, suggest complementary items, or promote social media engagement. For example, a display near your outdoor gear section could showcase camping essentials, inspiring customers to stock up for their long weekend. Digital signage can also encourage shoppers to follow your brand on social media or share user-generated content, increasing your visibility and engagement.

Incorporating digital signage into your Australia Day sales strategy is a smart, cost-effective way to engage customers, drive sales, and stand out from the competition. Whether you’re aiming to maximise holiday sales or enhance the overall shopping experience, there’s no better time to explore how this technology can transform your business.

Contributed by Steven Baxter, CEO at Mandoe Media

Live Co-Editing to Photoshop

Adobe has announced Live Co-Editing to Photoshop and invite you to sign up for beta testing in the Photoshop desktop (beta) and web apps. 

Now, multiple creators can simultaneously access and edit documents from different computers — unlocking shared creativity and collaboration. This game-changing advancement, informed by community input, accelerates content creation, streamlines communication and improves creative collaboration for creators, teams and educators. 

  • Multiple designers can simultaneously work on a Photoshop document, splitting tasks to tackle and complete projects more efficiently, together. 
  • Creative teams at large enterprises can collaborate on highly matrixed projects, solicit stakeholder input and address feedback all in a single file. 
  • Creators can collect client feedback more intuitively by inviting them to directly collaborate on a file, view edits and make comments. 
  • Students can follow along live as educators demonstrate workflows and teach techniques in Photoshop. Comments and edits can be made directly in a student’s document by teachers to help enhance learning and contextualise feedback. 

Popular community-driven innovations 

Photoshop launched dozens of innovative features and capabilities in 2024 that improved adjustments, compositing, selecting and typography workflows, all informed by community feedback. Try out these popular capabilities if you haven’t already by updating your Photoshop app to the latest version. 

  1. Remove Tool with Distraction Removal 

The Distraction Removal capability in the Remove Tool automatically detects and removes wires and people from the background and replaces them with generated content while preserving image integrity, depth, and complex details. You can remove multiple unwanted elements from a photo, like tourists in the background of your travel photos or pesky power lines disrupting your beautiful landscape image, which significantly simplifies your workflows and saves effort on tedious editing tasks. 

Check out real world examples from Photoshop Influencer Partners: 

  • @Marinawphoto perfects her portrait photography in busy and public places. 
  • @mylesesmind declutters her scenes so she can focus on her creativity. 
  1. Improved Font browser 

For projects focused on typography, use the improved Font browser to search, filter, live preview, and use 25,000+ free and licensed fonts from the cloud without leaving the Photoshop app. Search fonts by name, explore different dialects, and find the perfect typeface for any aesthetic without interrupting your workflows. Once a new font is added from the cloud, it will automatically sync across all your Photoshop devices and Adobe Creative Cloud desktop apps for a continuous editing experience. 

See this capability come to life on Instagram, and how Photoshop partner Emma Orhun uses it as a source of design inspiration! 

  1. Selection Brush 

The Selection Brush enables you to easily and more intuitively select and adjust specific areas of an image. With a brush, you can change the settings for opacity and hardness and create selections with varying transparency, feathered edges, and more realistic and nuanced effects. The Selection Brush provides more control, flexibility, and intuitiveness whether you are selecting, compositing, adjusting, and generating content. 

Check out this example on Instagram, as well as others made by @iamprestonluke and @onadventurewithdad to composite elements together more seamlessly. 

  1. Generative AI with the latest Adobe Firefly Image Model 

Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and Generate Similar are now powered by the latest Adobe Firefly Image Model, which yields greatly improved photographic quality, better prompt comprehension to understand complex descriptions, and generation variety to explore different results. 

  1. Adjustment Brush Tool 

With the Adjustment Brush Tool, you can now paint on adjustments to brightness, saturation, exposure, and more when you want to change a specific part of your image. 

  1. Custom Adjustment Presets 

Use over 30 Adjustment Presets to change images in one click. Create and save custom presets, export them to share, and import new favorites. 

  1. Enhance Detail 

Use Enhance Detail to boost sharpness and detail on your Generative Fill creations. Get results with greater clarity that blend more seamlessly with the existing image. 

  1. Bullets and Numbering Support for the Type Tool 

When using the Type Tool, you can now create bulleted and numbered lists in Photoshop with a single click, saving you from repetitive manual formatting. 

  1. Improved Contextual Task Bar (for Shapes and Transform workflows) 

The improved Contextual Task Bar now includes popular settings that help you work with Shapes or Transform and rotate objects, so you can avoid menu-diving and work more efficiently. 

  1. OpenColorIO (OCIO) support and 32-bit HDR workflows 

OCIO support is now available in Photoshop on desktop, allowing you to control, convert, and preserve color workflows at higher quality across programs. An expanded set of Photoshop tools is now compatible with 32-bit HDR images, enabling you to complete common workflows without converting images to 16-bit or 8-bit, which reduces image fidelity and color accuracy. 

  1. Language support for Vietnamese & Indonesian 

Photoshop now offers new language support for Indonesian and Vietnamese. 

 Sign up now to join the waitlist for Live Co-Editing to Photoshop

Long Range MaxRanger4K securtity camera

 Swann, a global leader in do-it-yourself security, announces the expansion of the award winning long range MaxRanger Camera, a CES Innovation Award Honoree last year, with a suite of compatible products including the MaxRanger4K Mini, MaxRanger4K Solar, MaxRanger4K Pro and MaxRanger4K Video Doorbell.

In addition, Swann is broadening its groundbreaking, first of its kind AI SwannShield™ technology to be available with its SwannBuddy4K  Video Doorbell, Swann EVO Video Doorbell, and the MaxRanger4K Video Doorbell. Swann is also debuting the new Xtreem4K™ with SwannShield AIDefender™ Security Guard.

“After the unprecedented success of our long range MaxRanger4K camera and AI SwannShield™ technology, Swann has embraced the mandate of our consumers and is providing a wider range of products that are in line with our long history of trusted security and are ground-breaking in their use of future tech,” said Alex Talevski, CEO of Swann Communications.  “Our focus is on creating innovative products that fulfill the ever-changing lifestyle needs of our diverse consumers- from the most reliable Wi-Fi for urban living, to the longest range for more expansive properties and rural areas, to the ability for technology to handle daily interactions through AI. Our commitment is to be at the forefront of the newest security technology that protects and elevates your home.” 

This year, Swann is introducing the expanded MaxRanger4K line with all offerings connecting to the same hub, making the range cross-compatible and flexible for users.

MaxRanger4K line will include:

  • MaxRanger4K Mini – the entry level offering in the MaxRanger family with cameras that are small yet powerful, with a wireless range up to 300m (in the open air) and 100m in typical use. They offer a reliable signal that runs rings around typical Wi-Fi and can transmit through walls, ceilings, floors, trees and other obstacles. The product comes with a hub and the cameras are truly wireless with battery power that needs recharging after some months of use.
  • MaxRanger4K Solar – the 2025 update of the award-winning MaxRanger4K Wireless Security System. The solar powered cameras are ideal for positioning at the perimeter of any property, including inner suburban, regional and rural locations. Like the 2024 variant the wireless range is up to 600m (in the open air) and 200m in typical use. It’s a more reliable wireless signal capable of going where normal Wi-Fi can’t and has a powerful signal that transmits through obstacles. The systems come with a hub and the solar panels are built-in to each camera, making them truly a “set and forget” solution.
  • MaxRanger4K Pro – the top of the line Pro version goes where security has never been before, with solar powered cameras capable of transmitting back to the hub from up to (amazingly) 1000m away (in the open air) and 400m in typical use. The Pro is perfect for larger s,all businesses and commercial properties in both urban or regional areas. It’s the ideal system to see those ‘blind spots’ and vulnerable locations far away and also closer to home.
  • MaxRanger4K Video Doorbell with SwannShield™ AI Voice Assistant – The video doorbell in the MaxRanger family uses the same hub and can be positioned in doorways, entrances and gates up to 300m away (in the open air) and 100m in typical use. Once again, the Wi-Fi HaLow™ transmission is perfect to transmit through the surfaces you are likely to mount the Doorbell on – brick, wood, concrete, masonry etc. The Doorbell also has SwannShield, the award-winning AI Voice Assistant that can answer the door for you! 

In addition, as part of the expanded use of the AI SwannShield™ technology, Swann is debuting theXtreem4K™ with SwannShield AI Defender™ Security Guard.

  • Xtreem4K™ with SwannShield AI Defender™ Security Guard – A wireless security camera with long battery life that is able to proactively protect you from crime and defend your property. The camera can be set up in minutes and see every detail in 4K, detecting heat, motion, people, and vehicles using smart AI technology to trigger sirens, spotlights, mobile alerts, and video recording. The Camera features SwannShield AI Defender to sense activity and realistically interact with visitors on your behalf. Using generative AI, it acts like your friend to automatically talk to visitors, delivery people and intruders, dynamically answering their questions, and instructing them appropriately, escalating if there is a security concern. It’s not just about seeing what’s happening- the SwannShield Defender AI Security Guard voice software detects activity and responds on your behalf.

To learn more about their product offerings visit https://swann.com/

The bookkeeper is the new therapist?

New research by Intuit QuickBooks has found that around one third (32%) of Australian small business owners admit to being emotionally attached to their bookkeeper/accountant, with almost half (45%) confiding in them for advice beyond financial matters.  Over one third (31%) also admit to sharing their biggest secrets with them, from secret shopping habits (35%) to family secrets (9%).

Meanwhile, staggeringly, nearly half (46%) of Australian small business owners admit that they spend less than 3 hours per week together with their partners (not including sleeping time).

In a relationship with your accountant/bookkeeper?

Over one quarter (28%) of small business owners admit to texting their bookkeeper/accountant at least once per day. This unique relationship is founded on trust and loyalty, with two-in-five (40%) trusting their bookkeeper/accountant more than friends or family with matters related to their business, and nearly half (46%) going to their bookkeeper/accountant for advice that is broader than just finances or accounting.

So, what are the benefits? Don’t judge a book by its cover, the research shows accountants/bookkeeper can wear many hats.

  • 15% say their bookkeeper/accountant improves their relationship with their partner/love life by reducing financial stress.
  • Nearly one third (29%) say their bookkeeper/accountant saves them between $5,001 – $10,000 per year.
  • Majority (53%) say their accountant/bookkeeper makes them feel less anxious and gives them comfort knowing everything is under control.
  • Over two-in-five (44%) say their bookkeeper/accountant gives them confidence.

AI chatbots for holiday shopping

AI Chatbots are changing how we shop, from the way we select a gift, virtually try on clothes, scan the best deals and visually search for items through Google lens. Amazon is now offering AI-initiated purchases and automatically generated buying guides which offer everything from TVs and dog food to face creams and shoes, with these guides pointing out specific features, use cases and answers to common questions.   

Aussie shoppers are also quickly getting used to these technological advances in the retail sector shopping, with new research showing nearly one-third of Australian shoppers are now more open to using chatbots this year, compared to last Christmas. 

The Zendesk study also shows it’s not just young people who are likely to use AI chatbots for their holiday shopping, those aged 55 plus also expressed openness in utilising chatbots to find the best deals.

Richard Valente, Executive VP of Business Solutions at TP, one of the global leaders in customer support, says despite the increasing adoption of new technology in the sector, many Australian consumers are concerned about the rapidly changing shopping experience.

“As AIand automationbecome more common in the retail sector, there is a growing concern that customers will lose that personal touch and empathy we have been accustomed to at the checkout,” says Mr Valente.

“It’s actually quite the opposite, these advancements can lead to more engagement and interaction opportunities for retailers to provide a better and more personable experience,” he says.

This is also something that shoppers aren’t willing to leave behind. TP data shows one in two consumers now say they are more mindful about getting good quality and price and ultimately choosing brands that provide good customer care.

The key is using these advances in the retail sector to enhance human assistance, not remove it, says Mr Valente.

“With repetitive tasks automated, employees can be more present on the shop floor or online, adding value by being available to customers,” he adds.

“Instead of just assisting at the end of a customers’ retail journey, employees can now become engaged earlier, spending time answering questions, giving personalised suggestions, and ensuring a positive shopping experience.”

“AI systemsare also contributing to more efficient checkouts. While video centralised assistants and chatbotsare revolutionising the shopping experience by providing purchase suggestions, recommending products or quickly searching for product availability.”

“The rapid advances in this space provide an effective outcome for the shopper, while also ensuring a lower cost to the retailer.”

How retailers can provide top customer service in new automated world:

  • Incorporate a CRM: Customer relationship management (CRM) systems are fundamental in managing customer data and interactions. By leveraging CRM, businesses can anticipate needs and address issues proactively, ensuring a smoother customer journey.
  • Invite customer feedback: Encouraging customer feedback is an essential step in offering excellent customer service. Feedback can be invited through various channels, such as email surveys, social media, or directly on the e-commerce platform.
  • Implement omnichannel tracking: Omnichannel tracking provides a cohesive view of the customer’s journey across various channels, including social media, online stores, phone support, and email. 
  • Implement customer loyalty programs: Customer loyalty programs are an effective way to reward returning customers and encourage continuous engagement with the brand. Loyalty programs incentivise repeat purchases and help cultivate long-term customer relationships, boosting customer retention and loyalty.
  • Hire the right Customer Support Team: The quality of the customer support team is important in providing top service. Hiring an excellent customer service team involves selecting individuals with empathy, strong communication skills, and a customer-centric attitude.
  • Introduce self-service options and FAQ pages: These empower customers to find answers to their queries quickly and independently. These can significantly enhance customer satisfaction by offering fast and immediate assistance while reducing the need for direct contact with support experts.
  • Utilise automated communications: Chatbots and automated responses help manage large volumes of customer inquiries, ensuring each customer receives a prompt response, and allows human agents to meet customers and focus on more complex tasks.

CyberPower Power Distribution Units

CyberPower has launched its Ultra-Advanced Power Distribution Units (PDU) for IT applications in Australia. The advanced PDUs provide reliable power distribution with a colour configurable LCD display and real-time remote and local monitoring for all connected equipment making them ideal for server rooms and IT solutions in corporate, education, government and back offices.  

CyberPower Systems Oceania GM ANZ Robert Hartvigsen said, “CyberPower offers six types of PDU products with their functions ranging from basic power distribution to advanced power monitoring and management. These PDU solutions complement our existing products, such as UPS and rack enclosures, enhancing the functionality and reliability of IT infrastructure to meet the specific needs of data centres and IT servers in Australia. As such they provide true peace of mind in the form of a cost effective, reliable power supply.”

A PDU is a device with multiple outlets. It is designed to be installed in a standard rack, where its main function is to distribute reliable network power from a utility power source or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to multiple devices. Besides basic power functionalities, some advanced PDUs also have a built-in Ethernet module, which works with PowerPanel® Power Management Software for real-time monitoring.

PowerPanel Management Software can also perform power management and system graceful shutdown. This software has achieved VMware Ready™ status and is compatible with VMware ESXi. It also supports Citrix XenServer and Microsoft Hyper-V. The software is easy to deploy and use offering real-time power usage effectiveness (PUE), dynamic dashboards, periodic reports and instant alarms to keep IT solutions and data centres up and running.

The multi-function, user configurable LCD readout enables users to easily manage and monitor the entire system and also enables users to change the colours of the LCD screens for convenient classification and identification of PDUs based on their applications. The featured hot-swappable LCD design allows users to safely remove and replace LCD panels without having to shut down the system for ultra-convenient maintenance.

Heat and power overloads are also a problem that are easily dealt with by these clever PDUs.

The PDU’s overload protection feature can automatically cut off any device’s power when the loading exceeds the product’s limit and thus prevents and minimises damage caused by overcurrent.

Also, in a data centre products are often exposed to high temperatures, so it is important for the products to be able to withstand being “over” temperature. By using CyberPower PDUs products are able to work under high temperatures (45-60°C) and still maintain optimal system operation.

The CyberPower PDUs also provide particularly trustworthy statistics including values on voltages, currents and watts with ±1% measurement accuracy. They also feature ultra-low power consumption.

Finally, the CyberPower Advanced Power Distribution Units also boast an environmental sensor which connects via the Ethernet module and provides real-time temperature and humidity information allowing users to monitor the environmental conditions.

Robert Hartvigsen concluded, “As a company grows, the demand for more power and IT equipment will continue to rise. It is essential to find a power solution that can provide more electrical outlets catering to the increasing power needs. The power usage effectiveness (PUE) metric has become an important measurement standard for reporting energy performance of data centres. An advanced PDU can provide reliable, critical and accurate power measurement data and precise individual outlet metering that can help in the measuring of energy efficiency in IT applications and data centres.”

Key features for the CyberPower Advanced Power Distribution Units PDU31004, PDU31005, PDU31406 and PDU31414

• Real-Time Local/Remote Monitoring
• Work under High Temperature
• Industrial-grade Metal Housing
• Digital Real-time Load Display
• User Configurable Colour LCD
• Hot-swappable LCD Design
• Rotatable LCD for Proper Display Orientation
• LED Status Indicator
• Firmware Upgrade via USB
• Support ENVIROSENSOR
• User-upgradeable Firmware
• PowerPanel® Management Software
• Adjustable Mounting Brackets
• Cord Retention Tray
• IEC Receptacle Locking

To see CyberPower’s new Advanced Power Distribution Units in action go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4nYZTMrfig&t=125s https://www.cyberpower.com/au/en/product/overview/power_distribution_units

For more information on CyberPower’s new Advanced Power Distribution Units