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.

OpenText Cybersecurity Threat Report

OpenText™ has released the results of the 2023 OpenText Cybersecurity Threat Report which explores the latest threats and risks to the small and medium business (SMB) and consumer segments. Powered by the BrightCloud® Threat Intelligence Platform, the OpenText Cybersecurity annual report breaks down a broad range of threat activity, offers insight into the trends observed, and discusses wide-reaching impacts for industries, geographies, companies and individuals.

Threat actors doubled down on longstanding tactics while demonstrating innovation with new techniques. One notable trend from the past year was a significant increase in concealing the location of URLs hosting malware and phishing sites. The percentage of malicious URLs hidden behind a proxy or geolocation-masking service increased 36% year-over-year (YoY). Meanwhile, online cybersecurity threats continue to emerge at an alarming pace. New malicious websites come online daily, while legitimate sites are occasionally compromised and co-opted for nefarious purposes.

“Cyber bad actors, including nation-state players, continue to be persistent, innovative and effective. There is, however, some encouraging news. A decline in malware infections indicates comprehensive security measures are effective,” said Prentiss Donohue, Executive Vice President, OpenText Cybersecurity. “Cybercriminals are equal opportunity offenders.

Acknowledging risks and preparing accordingly with a mulitlayered approach to protecting data are recommended courses of action for businesses of every size.”

2023 OpenText Cybersecurity Threat Report highlights include:

Malware

  • Malware on endpoint continues to decline 16.7% YoY
  • Rising geopolitical tensions continue to influence malware campaigns
  • Manufacturing remains the #1 targeted industry vertical
  • Analysing high-risk URLs, on average, each malicious domain hosted 2.9 malware URLs, compared to only 1.9 phishing URLs

Phishing

  • Email phishing is the primary vector for infection followed by remote desktop protocol (RDP); RDP was #1 last year
  • Over 1 billion unwanted emails classified as phishing
  • Spear phishing email traffic increased 16.4% YoY and now accounts for approximately 8.3% of all email traffic
  • 55.5% year-over-year increase in HTTPS vs HTTP phishing attacks

Ransomware

  • Double extortion from data exfiltration is commonplace in campaigns at a rate of 84%
  • Median ransomware payments meteor spike to almost $200k; up from $70k last year
  • Law enforcement crackdowns on ransomware saw some success but have yet to make a large impact on the overall threat ransomware poses

Infection Rates

  • 28.5% of businesses with 21-100 protected endpoints encountered an infection in 2022
  • For businesses between 1-20 endpoints, the rate is 6.4%
  • For businesses between 101-500 endpoints the rate rose to 58.7%
  • And for 501+ the rate was 85.8%

Geographic Breakdown

  • The top 50,000 most-active malicious IP addresses originated from 164 countries
  • The Netherlands and Germany made it into the top five, along with the US, China and Vietnam

Multi-layered defense

  • 40.3% reduction in the number of devices that encountered malware for users who adopted all three layers of protection — Webroot SecureAnywhere, Webroot Security Awareness Training, and Webroot DNS Protection — versus devices using Webroot SecureAnywhere alone
  • Data confirms, cyber resilience using a layered defense strategy remains the best defense against today’s cybercrime landscape

To view the complete 2023 OpenText Cybersecurity Threat report, visit 2023 Threat Report.

KINTO car subscription offers car ownership

Car rental innovator KINTO has announced the nationwide launch of KINTO Flex, a new subscription-based, all-inclusive car rental plan which offers Australians the benefits of car ownership, without the long-term commitment.

KINTO Flex allows users to take freedom to the next level by providing the benefits of car ownership on a monthly subscription basis. With the option of booking a car to suit the individual’s needs across over 160 national locations, shortening or lengthening the subscription and paying by the month, KINTO has created a car service that truly adapts to the user’s lifestyle.

Whether in need of a zippy hatchback to run errands or an SUV for the family – KINTO’s range of majority hybrid vehicles will get users from A to B in comfort and style.

Users pay a monthly duration fee plus a per kilometre fee that is inclusive of fuel, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, maintenance, and servicing1 – no sign-up fee, no security deposit or establishment fee. Drive as little or as much as needed with no excess km or additional driver fees.4  

Service is all managed through KINTO’s purpose-built smartphone app. From sign up and picking a vehicle, to unlocking the car and hitting the road – enjoy fully digital self-service car rental.

What’s more, KINTO Flex is powered by a fleet of trusted Toyota cars, and with a passenger fleet consisting of over 97% hybrid vehicles, Australians can rest assured they are travelling safely and sustainably.

Users can also extend their subscription through the digital self-service function within the KINTO app, and if they’re ready to unsubscribe from KINTO Flex, cancel free of charge from the upcoming bill cycle with just 7 days’ notice2.

Mark Ramsay, General Manager of KINTO said:

“We believe that everyone deserves the freedom to move, so we’re thrilled to be expanding KINTO’s local offering and now offer Australians a car subscription that adapts to their lifestyle.

We’ve seen the demand for short term and flexible mobility increase, and KINTO Flex is the nation’s answer to those who want all the benefits of car ownership for those who may not want to take the leap yet into purchasing their own vehicle.

There is no one size fits all to travel, that’s why we prioritise flexibility and are creating a service that aims to fit into the lifestyle of our customers, not the other way round. KINTO Flex allows users to drive some of the latest cars without any long-term commitment, and the flexibility to adapt to their lifestyle, and we hope the Australians love KINTO Flex as much as we do.”

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the expansion of KINTO’s services will offer consumers even greater freedom and flexibility.

“The introduction of KINTO Flex offers Australians the next best thing to vehicle ownership, as it is simple and easy to drive the latest Toyota vehicles, including our popular hybrid models, for a longer-term period with a monthly subscription,” Mr Hanley said.

“KINTO Flex marks an exciting step in the future of mobility. It caters to emerging customer needs and mobility requirements that go beyond our traditional business model, giving people the freedom to move and providing a new transport-related service across Australia,” he said.

KINTO Flex subscriptions start from $1215 per month and $0.17 per kilometre travelled3 and include fuel, 24/7 roadside assistance, maintenance, and servicing, and boasts no sign-up fee, no establishment fee, and no security bond.4

KINTO Flex is available now nationwide, visit KINTO.com.au to discover new ways to get the mobility needed without sacrificing flexibility or download the KINTO app and find a new path to freedom today.

PepsiCo Greenhouse program

 PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand has announced the launch of the PepsiCo Greenhouse Program – APAC edition, a first for the region. The 2023 program seeks to collaborate and support entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions that promote the circular economy for packaging and climate reduction.

Issuing an open call across APAC, PepsiCo is seeking 10 start-ups based in the Asia-Pacific region whose solutions integrate purpose into their missions, creating tangible impact for the business, consumers, communities, and our planet. The selected start-ups are granted USD$20,000 in funding and will participate in a four-month business optimisation program designed to accelerate growth.

“The launch of PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program in APAC is a testament to our enduring and continued dedication to sustainability and innovation. As a company, PepsiCo is acutely aware of its critical role in driving positive change and creating a more sustainable future for all,” said Wern Yuen Tan, CEO, PepsiCo Asia Pacific.

“The Greenhouse program has been a tremendous source of ideation, talent development, and agility, allowing us to collaborate with like-minded, mission-driven entrepreneurs as they scale innovative ideas to reduce our environmental impact and promote a more resilient future.”

The program includes personalised mentorship with experts across various PepsiCo functions, including leading and emerging brands, to help address critical early-stage business operations such as strategic planning, corporate structuring, and fundraising. Start-ups will also have access to brand optimisation, product development, supply chain management, customer acquisition and distribution during the program.

At the end of the program, one start-up will be awarded an additional USD$100,000 in funding to continue expansion, and an opportunity to continue partnering with PepsiCo on future projects.

PepsiCo first launched its Greenhouse program in Europe in 2017 and expanded the program to North America in the fall of 2018, and then to AMESA in 2022. The Greenhouse Accelerator program is in its 7th year and has seen 58 emerging start-up brands deliver an estimated combined sales growth of over USD $8M in revenue.

As part of its commitment to pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), PepsiCo’s end-to-end transformation strategy, the company is continuously investing in innovation to reduce environmental impact. The Greenhouse Accelerator Program is an extension of this commitment to drive positive change and foster the growth of start-ups in the sustainability field.

For applicant information and additional detail on this year’s PepsiCo Greenhouse program, please visit https://greenhouseaccelerator.com/apac/

Jabra Evolve2 – More comfortable headsets

Jabra, world’s leading professional audio brand, expands its best-selling line of professional headsets, the Jabra Evolve series, with new Evolve2 mid-range headsets. The revolutionary Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex, the Jabra Evolve2 55 and Jabra Evolve2 50 are engineered for ultra-flexible hybrid working. 

Jabra’s 2022 research** found that 80% of all meetings globally are either fully virtual or hybrid, and hybrid natives like Gen Zs consider their “office” to be their laptop, headset, and wherever with a strong internet connection, and find themselves working in a “third space” such as a co-working space, café, or library. The new Evolve2 headsets are meant to empower users with the most useful and professional features to protect their focus zone and enable them to take calls and meetings no matter their environment. Additionally, they have optimised sound for professional use and music, so there is no need to switch headsets when it is time for a break. 

 
Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex: the most portable professional headset* with unique fold-and-go design  

To provide maximum flexibility, the Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex has a unique fold-and-go design with a collapsible hinged headband, slimmed-down earcups. It comes with a soft sustainable pouch, allowing users to easily tuck it into even the smallest of bags, or your pocket. With the headset, users can be sure to be heard clearly even in loud locations, thanks to a powerful chipset, advanced digital algorithm, and beamforming Jabra ClearVoice microphones for the open office. The chipset and noise-cancelling technology delivers a best-in-class* Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and close-fitting memory foam earcups help seal out even more of the surroundings.  

Using the headset for flexible working and for entertainment means that users would likely be wearing their headsets for hours each day. Evolve2 65 Flex features the Jabra Air Comfort technology and flexible earcups that rotates to move whenever users do – making the headset incredibly comfortable, no matter how long it is on. The unique technology also layers ultra-soft perforated foam inside the collapsible headband for a gentle cushioning effect.  

The headset has a 360° busylight, a shorter hide-away boom arm and it is certified for all leading virtual meeting platforms, like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom. Workers can be rest assured for all-day work and play with the headset promising up to 32 hours of music time and up to 20 hours of talk time with ANC/busylight off.  

Jabra Evolve2 55 and 50: on-ear headsets designed with new, revolutionary comfort technology 

With more flexible working, and therefore more potential for distractions, Jabra is bringing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) into more professional headsets, with a wireless option, Evolve2 55, and a corded version, Evolve2 50. The headsets are built with powerful ANC that has a unique acoustic chamber design, 28mm custom speakers, a specially designed chipset that powers speech-separating, and two premium noise-cancelling microphones.  

Both products are certified for all leading virtual meeting platforms, like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom, all while providing a comfortable fit with the Jabra Air Comfort technology.  

Holger Reisinger, SVP for Enterprise Solutions at Jabra says, “The current generation of hybrid workers are in search for comfortable, flexible, and easy to use devices for both work and music. Meanwhile, headsets are evolving from mere accessories to a business necessity for productive work. This was why we sought to create high-quality mid-range headsets so we can meet the needs of both the business and end-user. Particularly with the foldable version, everyone will have the ability to look, sound and be professional, working from anywhere.” 

Key features of all three Evolve2 products:  

  • Maximum comfort with Jabra Air Comfort technology 
  • Jabra ClearVoice Microphone systems that meet premium microphone for the open office standard 
  • Integrated 360° busylight  
  • 28mm custom speakers deliver premium sound for music  
  • Certified for leading virtual meeting platforms (UC-certified and Microsoft Teams-certified variants available) 
  • Up to 30m/100ft wireless range (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55 only
  • Personalisation with Jabra Sound+, Jabra MySound and voice assistants (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55 only
  • Connect two devices at the same time with dual connectivity (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55) and connect to another device via Bluetooth while plugged in (Evolve2 50
  • Boom arm mute and answer call 
  • Available in stereo and mono (Evolve2 55 & Evolve2 50 only) – Evolve2 65 Flex available in stereo 
  • UC and Microsoft Teams variants 
  • Optional charging stand (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55 only

Key features only of the Evolve2 65 Flex: 

  • Most portable professional headset* with unique fold-and-go design 
  • Best-in-class Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)*  
  • Hide-away boom arm for discreet on-the-go professionalism 
  • Up to 20 hours of talk time with ANC/busylight off, up to 15 hours talk time with ANC/busylight on, up to 32 hours of listening time with ANC/busylight off, up to 21 hours listening time with ANC/busylight on 

Key features only of the Evolve2 55: 

  • Up to 16 hours talk time with ANC/busylight off, up to 10 hours talk time with ANC/busylight on, and up to 18 hours listening time with ANC/busylight off, up to 15 hours listening time with ANC/busylight on  
  • A comfortable fit that’s the best-in-its-class* 

Jabra Evolve 2 Pricing and availability 

The Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex, Evolve2 55 & Evolve2 50 will be available from April. 

Evolve2 65 Flex MSRP AU$499 (AU$599 with Wireless Charging Pad) 

Evolve2 55 Stereo MSRP AU$389 (AU$489 with charging stand) 

Evolve2 55 Mono MSRP AU$369 (AU$469 with charging stand) 

Evolve2 50 Stereo MSRP AU$299 

Evolve2 50 Mono MSRP AU$279  

Find out more about Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex at www.jabra.com/evolve2-65-flex 

Find out more about Jabra Evolve2 55 at www.jabra.com/evolve2-55 

Find out more about Jabra Evolve2 50 at www.jabra.com/evolve2-50 

Registry Australia Scam

We normally associate scams with an overseas entity randomly targeting you when we think of scams. Still, Registry Australia is an Australian company mining real data from ASIC. The Registry Australia scam encourages you to pay twice as much to reregister your business name renewal.

Small Business Answers owns more than one business name, and one of those names came up for renewal. In the mail, we received an official-looking letter indicating our business name was expiring next month, which it was. This letter provided payment details for a 1-year renewal for $99 or 3 years for $189. Thentwo2 weeks later, an email arrived from ASIC, the official government body for business registrations, indicating the same but at the cost of $39 for one year or $82 for three years.

Registry Australia claims to be Australia’s leading and most reliable business registration service in their letter and offers you an online portal and automatic renewal notifications. ASIC provides an online portal and sends you automatic renewals. Registry Australia states they are independent of ASIC, and you are not required to pay any money. Still, as with all scams, youmust pay attention andy read this information in the letter.

Unfortunately, nothing stops Registry Australia from obtaining business renewal information from ASIC. Then contact you in the hope that you will pay them more money for them to pay ASIC the $37 or $88 on your behalf to reregister your business name.

Small Business Answers advise ignoring this correspondence from Registry Australia and only dealing with the official government channels. Besides that, overthree3 years, you will have an extra $111 in your pocket rather than funding a scam.

For more information on the official government method of registering a new business name, see Small Business Answers guide to Register a Business Name. ASIC also has a page on Scams

UHF radio Location Sharing made possible by Uniden

Uniden Australia’s range of Location sharing UHF radios, the XTRAK 50 PRO and XTRAK 80 Pro, promise to keep you connected no matter where you are. From the trusted outdoor adventurer to the lifestyle traveller, these UHF radios offer a reliable and trusted solution for every user. 

Both the XTRAK 50 PRO Handheld and XTRAK 80 Pro In-Vehicle take communication to the next level by offering app-enabled location sharing functionality between a handheld and in-vehicle UHF Radio, a first in the industry. You can easily share the location of the radio through the XTRAK Bluetooth app, which is available for both iOS and Android. It also helps manage your selective calling (Selcall) contacts and additional receive channels, access the settings controls, and send in-app text messages, all from one convenient app.

Talk to a friend or colleague and know exactly where they are, by using the app’s advanced positional tracking and location sharing features as part of the XTRAK App on your smartphone when connected to your UHF radio. Whether in another vehicle with the XTRAK 80 Pro or on foot with XTRAK 50 Pro, you’ll never be out of contact and always be able to communicate and establish your exact position, as Uniden’s location tracking works between the in vehicle and handheld UHF radios, ensuring both locations are accurate.

The XTRAK 80 Pro also has a large, anti-glare OLED display and backlit keypad that is easy to read in any lighting condition. The powerful integrated two-watt speakers and four-level voice enhancers enable maximum sound clarity in noisy environments. Bluetooth connection is available on the XTRAK 80 Pro, connecting to the vehicle’s audio speakers. 

Uniden’s innovative one-touch instant replay can record up to six minutes of recently received communications and is available in the in-car and a first in the UHF handheld as well, and the smart key lets you toggle between instant channels, monitor, call tone, quality, or equaliser. The magnetic mount is a quick, easy, and convenient way to hold your speakerphone.

When off the mount, the XTRAK 80 Pro has up to five watts of power and provides up to 18 kilometres of range (dependent on topographical factors) compared to the XTRAK 50 Pro which delivers up to five watts of power and provides up to 17 kilometres of range (dependent on topographical factors). Both devices share some common features such as a large, anti-glare OLED display that is easy to read in any lighting condition. The integrated two-watt speakers and four-level voice enhancers ensure maximum sound clarity in noisy environments. 

All units have an impressive standby time of up to 30 hours and the one-touch instant replay functions let you record and replay up to four minutes of recently received communications, so you’ll never miss an important message. The first-time instant replay feature is also available on the UHF handheld. 

XTRAK 50 Pro and XTRAK 80 Pro UHF radios are designed for use in a wide range of industries and activities making them versatile tools for hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts as they are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and challenging environments. With their durable construction and weather-resistant design, these radios are built to withstand the elements and provide reliable communication, no matter the conditions.

From extreme heat to heavy rain, you can rely on XTRAK radios to keep you connected when you need them the most. 

In addition to the XTRAK PRO radios, Uniden is introducing a new Bluetooth headset perfect for adventure-seekers. This headset will provide seamless communication and perfectly complements Uniden’s range of UHF radios. It is lightweight, comfortable, and features a high-quality microphone for clear voice transmission. 

Uniden’s reliability and experience in UHF make the XTRAK 50 Pro and XTRAK 80 Pro ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers who demand robust, reliable and quality equipment. Both radios offer the finest components, engineering, and styling, just what you would expect from Uniden. Whether you’re camping in the great outdoors or travelling off the grid with a group, the XTRAK 50 and XTRAK 80 Pro are the perfect tools to help you stay connected.

Uniden XTRAK 80 PRO Smart UHF radio with large OLED display, location sharing through app and instant replay – RRP: $549.95

Uniden XTRAK 50 PRO  5-watt waterproof smart UHF handheld radio with large OLED display, location sharing, waterproof and one touch instant replay function – RRP: $449.95

XTRAK 4×4 PRO Pack – (this is a XTRAK 80 PRO plus a ATX970S Antenna) – RRP $719.95

XTRAK Ultimate Pack – (This is a XTRAK 80 PRO + XTRAK 50 PRO and a ATX970S Antenna) – RRP $999.95

visit www.uniden.com.au

Sustainable workplace to save money and the planet

In 2023, employers of all shapes and sizes are focussing on creating a sustainable workplace that prioritise employee health and wellbeing. But what about environmental sustainability for the planet?

Recent YouGov figures indicate many consumers believe sustainability equals a higher price point, and it follows that many small business owners would think the same. We get it – as a small business, it’s highly likely that you’re struggling in the current inflationary business environment, and are therefore shying away from any unnecessary costs.

But the reality is that eco-friendly choices don’t need to cost employers more – in fact, they can actually save you money. So, how can hard-working owners reduce their overheads and do their bit for the environment at the same time?

Enter: refurbished electronics. Refurbished electronics reduce your business’s contribution to e-waste by saving phones, tablets and laptops from premature death with a new lease of life. Not only are refurbished devices cheaper, but they’re also better for the planet.

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste category on the planet, with 52M tons of e-waste produced worldwide last year alone. Out of that, only 20% is properly recycled, with the rest going to landfill and polluting countries throughout Africa and Asia. Smartphones heavily contribute to the escalation of this damage through damaging toxins such as chlorine and mercury that can pollute the air and water supply around the landfill.

In response, businesses around Australia are currently facing rising landfill costs, making it more expensive to dispose of large amounts of e-waste at the rubbish dump. Taxes and other government incentives are making it increasingly cheaper to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. The recent REDcycle collapse is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by local councils and governments when it comes to recycling, and the need for businesses of all sizes to bear their own level of responsibility.

If you’re keen to make the switch to refurbished devices, the first step is to make a careful assessment of your needs versus your wants and align them with your budget. What is your team using their phones for? In most cases, they probably don’t need the niche features in the very latest iPhone, and could simply choose to keep their old model or opt for a refurbished model instead.

If businesses are ready and willing to jump on the refurbished train, the environmental impact can be massive. Since launching in Australia and New Zealand, for example, our team at Reebelo has emitted 1410 tonnes fewer greenhouse gases, saved 197 Million litres of drinking water saved, planted 15,000 trees, and saved five tonnes of e-waste.

With economies struggling, unemployment rates wobbly, and small businesses looking to save as much money as possible, shifting towards refurbished devices is nothing but a smart move. With the right mindset in place, your business can save both money and the planet.

Story provided from Gulrez

Airwallex slashes costs for domestic payments processing

Businesses across Australia could save up to $12,000 each year after Australian-born financial platform Airwallex slashed the cost of online payments processing for domestic credit and debit cards by nearly 30 per cent.

From Monday 27 March, Airwallex’s new and existing Australian business customers will see a 45 basis point reduction in what they pay to take online payments done by domestic credit and debit cards – down from 1.65 per cent to 1.20 per cent per payment plus 30 cents. This compares to other major providers charging between 1.75% and 2.20% plus 30 cents to process each online payment.

Airwallex Head of Strategy for Australia, Matt Sek, said the price drop would save businesses thousands of dollars in transaction costs, particularly leading into the busy Easter and Mother’s Day periods.

“We know the cost of doing business has only been going up, so cutting back payments costs will mean businesses can keep more of what they earn,” Matt said.

“These mates rates for our customers means cheaper products and services for their customers and more growth.

“We’ve made a commitment to invest in our Australian customers, and as they succeed, so do we.”

Savings scenarios:     

  • An average business doing $100,000 a month in domestic transactions in Australia would save $12,000 per year in transaction fees from the change, compared to other companies’ offerings at up to 2.2%.
  • A smaller business doing $20,000 a month in transactions would save $2,400 per year.
  • A business doing $50,000 a month in transactions would save $6,000 per year. 

Matt said Airwallex had doubled-down its investment into building leading online payments infrastructure in Australia and abroad, which meant it could lower its transaction fees.

“We’ve been investing in our online payments infrastructure as we grow which means we can pass on the cost savings by dropping our prices for our merchant customers,” Matt said.

“We’re a modern payments platform built from the ground up for modern businesses of any size – which means we don’t have all the baggage of banks or other legacy payment platforms.

“In recent weeks we’ve seen other payments businesses announce increases in transaction costs, but at Airwallex we’re taking a different approach.

“Not only does our online payment gateway make it easier to accept domestic and international payments for businesses, but our fee change will make it even cheaper too.”

Airwallex processes nearly $50 billion in transactions each year and powers more than 6,000 businesses in Australia.

Pen display to create what you dream

Xencelabs Technologies Ltd. is giving artists a new creative choice with its Pen Display 24 Studio Series. The new drawing display joins the company’s full line of professional digital design tools including its Pen Tablet Medium, Pen Tablet Small, and the Quick Keys customizable remote – creating a comprehensive portfolio of professional drawing tools available for creative communities worldwide.

The new drawing display will make its public debut at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), March 22 to 24, 2023 in San Francisco.

The Pen Display 24 offers a range of features and capabilities compared to competitive offerings, including enhanced glare reduction and fingerprint resistance, an edge-to-edge drawing surface, a natural drawing experience, Pantone® Color and SkinTone™ validation, the included Tilt Stand, VESA mount flexibility, silent and fanless operation and a security slot for the Kensington MicroSaver® 2.0 lock.

“Since we launched our first product, we’ve constantly looked for new ways to improve the creative workflow,” said Michael Thompson, Head of Global Product at Xencelabs. “We listened to artists and their input is reflected in the Pen Display’s design: stunning display fidelity, excellent drawing experience, superior ergonomics and more. This device is designed for maximum productivity, adapting to the user’s preferences, not the other way around.”

The Pen Display 24 comes with all key accessories, including a Tilt Stand, to let users start working immediately after downloading their preferred driver (Mac, PC or Linux) and plugging in the display. The Linux driver works similarly to the Windows and Mac drivers and has full functionality.

Key Features and Benefits of the Xencelabs Pen Display 24

Studio Quality Drawing Experience

The display features edge-to-edge tempered glass with Xencelabs’ Super-AG Etching™ for exceptional glare and reflection reduction, delivering clarity even in bright rooms with overhead lighting. The continuous surface is uninterrupted by buttons or seams. An anti-fingerprint coating reduces streaking and smudges caused by everyday use. The etched glass screen provides the right amount of friction for a natural drawing feel.

Two pen sizes are provided to fit different-sized hands and preferences. One pen comes with three buttons, while the other has two buttons, and each has an eraser. The three-button pen is particularly useful for 3D work or for artists who prefer more pen buttons. Pens can match users’ preferred sensitivity and initial activation pressure is adjustable to as low as 3g.

Thedisplay’s pressure curve has been meticulously tuned for optimal responsiveness and stroke-to-stroke accuracy, with the pen response adjustable to each user’s drawing style.

Brilliant Imagery and Color Performance

The Pen Display delivers 1.07 billion colors for accurate color reproduction. Its 4K Ultra-high definition resolution (up to 3840 x 2160) contributes to an improved workflow, as images that are enlarged several times still retain clarity and sharpness, helpful when sketching details. The display supports six industry-standard color spaces.

The new display meets key performance criteria from Pantone, recognized globally as a trusted and familiar color system used across many applications well-suited to the new display. The Pen Display 24 is Pantone Validated, assuring users of the product’s ability to faithfully simulate the full range of Pantone Colors. It is also Pantone SkinTone™ Validated, which means the Pen Display 24 meets Pantone’s testing criteria (a patent-pending process) and can authentically reproduce the diverse set of skin tones found in the Pantone SkinTone Guide.

The screen is optically bonded to minimize parallax and produce a bright, clear image with no “sparkling” effect to cause distraction or eye fatigue.

Increased Productivity

The included Xencelabs Quick Keys can be attached to anywhere on the side of the Pen Display 24 making it easy to find a comfortable location. The Xencelabs Quick Keys allows artists to incorporate shortcut keys into their workflow through an easy-to-use interface. The integrated OLED display lets users see button assignments at a glance. There can be up to 40 shortcuts per application using the set button which allows users to group eight keys into five different sets. The physical dial offers four function modes for zoom, rotation, brush size, and other functions. Button settings switch automatically when a new application is activated with the pen.

Users can quickly access settings via three programable LED buttons on the top of the Pen Display. By changing color, these buttons also provide a reminder that the pen buttons or Quick Key button assignments may have changed when a different application is in use.

A Virtual Tablet Mode allows pen control of multiple displays. Users can drag or manipulate objects from one display to the other using just the pen.

Ergonomics

The included Tilt Stand enables the Xencelabs Pen Display 24 to be tilted comfortably at any angle between 16 and 72 degrees and is easily adjusted with one hand. A standard VESA mount (100X100mm) allows the lightweight (5.8 kg / 12.8 lbs) Pen Display 24 to be easily used with additional stand options, such as an arm, with no adapter needed.

An adjustable clip holds the Quick Keys in place and allows it to be attached anywhere along the four sides of the display for maximum comfort and usefulness.

The Pen Display is designed for silent and fanless operation, with a magnesium alloy rear housing that dissipates heat and eliminates the need for a fan.

For more information about Xencelabs and the new Pen Display 24, visit www.xencelabs.com.

​​Launching in Australia in April 2023, Xencelabs Pen Display Tablet will be available through its exclusive distributor MacGear and their retail network.

HungryHungry Self serve kiosks to drive hospitality profits

Award-winning Australian hospitality tech platform HungryHungry has recently launched Ready to Serve, a suite of new software technology solutions all can all be run off one tablet, designed to give restaurants, pubs, clubs and cafes the flexibility to provide their customers with targeted ordering options while tapping into insights that enhance the way they engage with and market to their loyal customers.

The tech startup was founded in 2019 by hospitality industry pioneers and OrderMate founders (they sold to MSL Solutions for $7.5million in 2021), Mark Calabro and Shannon Hautot in 2019, who have 40+ combined years of delivering innovative, technology solutions to the hospitality industry.  

During the pandemic HungryHungry pivoted quickly from mobile order & pay to online ordering for restaurants and as a result built a loyal database of over 2,000 restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars across Australia, and in the process helping many overcome the challenge of lockdowns to stay open for business.

As the hospitality industry continues to embrace and benefit from technology driven solutions, HungryHungry has continued on its mission to deliver new, innovative tech solutions that will help venues of all sizes deliver amazing customer experiences while driving revenue. As a result the business now offers a suite of products across digital menus, online ordering, payments and direct to consumer marketing solutions.

HungryHungry Concierge, is an exciting new feature within Ready to Serve that allows restaurant owners and staff to access ‘real-time’ consumer data insights so that they can instantly recognise regular customers and reward them for their loyalty through on the spot VIP services and/or future marketing and promotions. 

Initial trials with select venues show that this data-led approach allows venues to engage with customers in a more meaningful way with the dual win of greater customer satisfaction and an uplift in revenue by as much as $3 per order when using HungryHungry’s assisted marketing algorithms.

Adding to the mix, HungryHungry has also launched their own paperless, bespoke ordering kiosks, a service that caters to Australia’s growing casual dining sector and an offer that none of their competitors can match. The shift into stand alone hardware meets a growing demand for service versatility from a wider range of venue types beyond fast food locations. Being trialled by Royal Stacks in Melbourne, the kiosks will continue to be rolled out to restaurants across Australia this year. 

Co-CEO and Co-Founder of HungryHungry, Mark Calabro says, “From learning if a customer is a Tuesday regular, loves a dirty gin martini, or orders a steak and chips each time they visit, our new data driven service Ready to Serve now makes it possible to personalise every customer’s visit, helping to repeat business and keep loyal customers engaged. 

“As well as providing venues with the opportunity to gather insights on their customers, we then also deliver the bespoke, targeted promotions and ads via email or SMS direct marketing straight to loyal customers at no additional cost to our clients. Initial trials have already shown that venues can get a return average uplift of $3 per order, not to mention the ROI ratio is high. 

“This targeted approach directed at existing customers also provides a great benefit to venues allowing them to see where they can save costs or generate additional revenue, providing maximum efficiency and a hassle free service.”

Co-CEO and Co-Founder Shannon Hautot added, “In our first business OrderMate, and now with HungryHungry, our focus has always been to build tech that seamlessly integrates with a venue’s existing technology so the venue manager or staff can focus more on the actual customer and less on the logistics.  

“Loyalty is a huge factor in the hospitality industry and we’ve seen it become increasingly more so since we first started out in this industry 20 years ago. Ready to Serve and within that HungryHungry Concierge is kicking off a new suite of tech services we will be launching this year and something we’re really excited about because we’re giving venues the power to step up their customised marketing and promotional efforts with little effort and the potential for huge returns.”

General Manager at Royal Hotel Mornington, Alex Bird, who has been trialling Ready to Serve says.I’ve only had the feature for two weeks, but in my opinion they’re worth their weight in gold and have already paid for themselves. Being able to have eyes and ears on every transaction without fail has saved my venue hundreds of dollars each weekend.”

In January 2023 the business reached profitability and has grown its headcount by 500% to 60 in the last two years.