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.

Aussies spend less online

Aussies spend less online on average, nearly $600 less than they were a year ago, according to the latest Digital Economy Index from leading global financial platform Airwallex.

The Airwallex Quarterly Digital Economy Index records year-to-date spending per adult, as well as quarter-by-quarter snapshots of the digital economy by state and industry.

The latest Index highlighted green shoots in the online spending growth of Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and WA, despite a nationwide dip of 1.82% worth $523.3 million for Q2 this year compared to Q2 2022. Online spending is estimated to have dropped $587 per adult across the 12-month period up to and including Q2 2023, compared to Q2 2022.

The Index also recorded strong upticks in online education and travel spending; however, these were overshadowed by a decline in retail, insurance and self-managed investments.

Aussies spend less online key figures

Full data tables of digital spending per person for each state, as well as digital business turnover by state and industry, are available at the end of this media release.

  • NSW: Overall decline in revenue turnover compared to last year (-7.93%) driven by a steep drop in online subscriptions (-17.75%) and travel spending (-9.15%). However, digital travel businesses have seen a rebound compared to Q1 this year (+15.11%).
  • VIC: Victoria’s digital businesses saw a nearly 6% lift in revenue turnover (vs Q2 2022) on the back of a jump in e-commerce spending (+8.28%) and education (+4.24%). Digital travel spending continues to drag however, dipping -1.91%.
  • QLD: Queensland’s digital economy rose +3.90% compared to last year, influenced by a 5.2% increase in online travel spending. Queensland is seeing declines in spending in online education (-5.55%) and e-commerce (-5.60%).
  • WA: Western Australia’s digital economy grew at 2.81% for the year, thanks to a surge in online technology and digital content spending (+5.22%) and travel booked online (+6.77%). WA e-commerce businesses have seen an overall 7.71% drop in spending compared to last year, and down 4.9% compared to Q1 this year.
  • SA: South Australia had the worst performing digital economy this quarter, according to the Index, with online spending shrinking 16.77% and declines recorded across all industries in the digital economy for both time periods (vs Q2 2022 and vs Q1 2023). 
  • TAS: Tasmania’s digital economy continues to be a powerhouse, with revenue turnover increasing 12.8% compared to last year. However, there are signs a contraction is looming with a -4.89% drop compared to Q1 this year. Tasmania’s online travel sector is driving the growth, spiking 15.01% for the year.

Airwallex Director of Strategy for Australia and New Zealand, Amelia Hamer, said the Index showed the spending downturn was uneven across the country as different parts of Australia felt the effects of the broader uncertain economic environment.

“Across the digital economy, we see Australians are holding back on their discretionary spending,” Hamer said.

“As interest rates have climbed and cost-of-living pressures have increased, it’s no surprise Australians are being more selective about where they spend online.

“We see several bright spots in Australia’s digital economy, with the technology, education and travel sectors seeing the most upside.

“There are still lingering effects of the travel bounceback post-COVID in this data, with the surge in online travel particularly benefitting destinations like Queensland, Tasmania and WA.

“However, the data shows that NSW is bearing the brunt of the change in how Australians are spending their money online. This downturn is something we’re seeing in the quarter-by-quarter comparisons in other states too.”

How to navigate the AusPost price hikes

Many businesses are hit with price hikes across the board in a high inflationary environment, including AusPost price hikes. The higher cost of doing business is placing an incredible amount of pressure on small businesses, who are already pressed for margin or do not have the scale to command strong negotiating power like their larger competitors. This puts small business owners in a precarious position – absorb the margin hit or pass this cost onto consumers with the risk of impacting demand? At Shippit we strongly believe that a retailer’s delivery proposition is the most effective way to drive customer loyalty and repeat purchases outside of selling great products. It has never been more important for retailers to deeply understand their delivery experience and how to price it effectively.

There are two primary ways to save money on shipping; either renegotiate with your existing carrier or implement a multi-carrier strategy (ie, leverage rate structures across multiple providers). Putting your eggs in one basket in a high inflationary environment exposes your operations to significant risk. From our experience, retailers that implement a multi-carrier see 2x faster growth and save up to 20% on freight spend while maintaining service quality.

Distance and the uncertainty around successful on-time delivery drive up costs in the delivery process. With this we have seen retailers move their inventory closer to their customers through their physical store footprint or micro-fulfilment hubs. A cost effective method for small businesses that are unable to do this can look at offering a click & collect proposition through PUDO  (Pick-Up Drop-Off) providers. 

Finally cost recovery on shipping fees is becoming more common – taking a portfolio based approach to pricing is critical. For example, paying for on demand delivery or imposing a fee on customers that live in regional or rural locations whilst offering free and fast delivery for set basket thresholds. 

Given the growing presence of foreign marketplaces that prioritise free, fast, and dependable delivery, we strongly encourage all Australian retailers to prioritise and invest in enhancing their delivery experience during this era of uncertainty.

Contributed by Rob Hango-Zada, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Shippit

60% of businesses struggle to find staff

While signs show that the post-pandemic “Great Resignation” era may have passed its peak, with job advertisements declining in the second half of 2022, vacancy rates still remain at levels not seen since the GFC. [1] New concerning research commissioned by business loan comparison site Small Business Loans Australia reveals that the labour-shortage struggle is not over, with more than two-thirds of businesses grappling to find staff. 

The survey comprised an independent panel of 210 business owners or senior decision-makers across the full SME spectrum of micro, small and medium-sized businesses.

Almost 80 per cent of micro-businesses are unable to find staff.

According to Small Business Loans Australia, businesses of all sizes have been significantly impacted by the difficulty of finding suitable staff. Among them, micro-businesses have faced the greatest challenges, with 79 per cent of respondents struggling to fill job vacancies. Although 21 per cent of micro-businesses believe that 2023 has been comparatively easier for staff recruitment compared to the previous year, the survey results present a different picture for small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, the findings indicate that the situation has continued to worsen for a significant portion of these businesses in 2023, with 29 per cent of small businesses and 27 per cent of medium-sized businesses reporting ongoing difficulties in finding qualified employees.

The results reveal the impacts of the labour shortage being felt nationally, with similar rates of difficulty indicated across the majority of major Australian States. Western Australia has the highest number of businesses struggling to fill staff roles (76%), followed closely by ACT (75%). Queensland and Victorian businesses are also struggling, with 73 per cent experiencing the same level of difficulty, or more, than in 2022. ACT business reported more difficulty finding staff than last year (50%) compared to WA (33%), NSW (29%), VIC (28%) and Queensland (20%). Conversely, 80 per cent of South Australian businesses found it easier to employ new staff in 2023, than in 2022. 

Labour shortages are having the most impact in the private sector, with more than 90 per cent of the 480,000 job vacancies this time last year, belonging to private companies. Businesses in the health and tech industries have experienced some respite, with 56 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively reporting it as easier to fill vacancies than in 2022. Meanwhile, more than 80 per cent of hospitality businesses, which typically experience high turnover rates and are dependent on casual staff, continue to struggle to fill roles at the same rate, or worse, than in 2022. By far, the worst affected industries are manufacturing and agriculture, where 94 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively are unable to fulfil staff vacancies.  

Alon Rajic, Founder and Managing Director of Small Business Loans Australia, says: “The problem of finding staff is nationwide, and can be attributed to a combination of factors, including burn-out among working-age Australians and changes in employment law, including increased minimum wages. SMEs appear to be hit hardest, which is concerning as they constitute the vast majority of the Australian business market.” 

“Employers should alter their expectations when hiring new staff, and instil operational changes, which will change how their current employees work, such as adopting time-saving automation where possible in their day-to-day business.” 

The full survey results, including breakdowns across business sizes and States, can be found here: https://smallbusinessloansaustralia.com/sme-employees-2023/ 

EPOS IMPACT 5000T Headset Series

EPOS, the premium audio company,has announced the launch of the IMPACT 5000T Series, which is Certified for Microsoft Teams. The IMPACT 5000T is a flexible wireless DECT headset solution and the first ever EPOS product to meet the Microsoft Teams Open Office specifications. For superior sound, even in noisy offices.

A Superior User Experience

Modern professionals need to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively when working in Open Office spaces, be it in the workplace or at home. The IMPACT 5000T has been designed to deliver a flexible headset solution that offers seamless integration with Teams. Built on EPOS BrainAdapt™ technology, this series enables users to stay focused for longer and boost productivity.
 Certified for Microsoft Teams, the IMPACT 5000T Series and IMPACT SDW D1 USB (DECT Dongle) ensure a high-quality end-user experience. A dedicated Teams button activates Teams and responds to notifications with a single click. The discreet LED light also indicates when there is a new message, a missed call, or a when new meeting begins.

Supreme Voice Clarity, Maximum Comfort, and Absolute Flexibility

Those working in busy office environments cannot afford to have unwanted ambient noise and neighbouring voices disrupting calls. With super wideband sound and an advanced two-microphone noise-cancelling system, the IMPACT 5000T provides ultimate voice clarity for high-quality, crystal-clear calls every time.
 
IMPACT 5000T is developed to meet the requirements of a modern workforce, with plug-and-play functionality, triple connectivity to your computer, desk, and mobile phone, and a wireless range of up to 180 m / 590 ft, allowing users to move with flexibility around the office. Users can enjoy all-day wearability, with soft leatherette earpads and flexible wearing styles for hours of comfort.

IMPACT 5000T Keeps Conversations Secure

The ever-growing trend towards increased flexibility and mobility in the office has huge benefits for productivity, collaboration, and customer service. However, as with all communications technology, security is a primary concern. Protected Pairing, 128-bit authentication, and DECT Security certification offer a high level of safety against unauthorised third-party access. This ensures that conversations are truly private and protected from security breaches.
Theis Mørk, Vice President, Global Product Management at EPOS comments: ‘‘We are proud to announce the release of the Certified for Microsoft Teams IMPACT 5000T, which has been rigorously tested to meet Open Office specifications. This new addition to the IMPACT 5000 series empowers modern professionals by providing a flexible headset solution that delivers a seamless end-user experience in any environment.’’

IMPACT 5000T is Available now for $309 RRP

Xero Beautiful Business Fund to support small business

Coinciding with Xero Day 2023 – the day of Xero’s founding 17 years ago – Xero, the global small business platform, has announced a new global small business fund with more than AUD$690,000 in funding, to support the future aspirations of small businesses globally.

The Xero Beautiful Business Fund will officially launch with a call for entries at Xerocon Sydney, taking place in Sydney on 23-24 August 2023. 

Designed to celebrate small businesses, empower success and accelerate their growth, the Xero Beautiful Business Fund will be open to Xero small business customers in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. 

Customers in each country will be eligible to apply for the following beautiful business fund categories that best suit their needs. 

  • Innovating for sustainability: For small businesses who want to take the next step on their sustainability journey. It could be to move to sustainable packaging, implement energy-efficient equipment or carbon neutral transport. 
  • Trailblazing with technology: For small businesses seeking to take the next step to supercharge their business by digitalising parts of their operations or integrating new emerging technologies.
  • Strengthening community connection: For small businesses or non-profits striving towards community connection. It could be to contribute to philanthropy, social good, or make an impact on the community in a meaningful way. 
  • Upskilling for the future: For small businesses seeking to support upskilling for themselves or their employees so they can access training and development to further grow. 

For each category, there will be seven regional winners identified by a regional judging panel. The pool of regional winners in each category will then be evaluated by a global judging panel and the winner of each category will receive an additional global prize. 

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Xero CEO said: “Xero Day – the anniversary of when it all started for Xero – is our opportunity to connect and celebrate our small business customers all around the world. This year, we are pleased to be launching the Xero Beautiful Business Fund to allocate funds to back small businesses in their future aspirations and help them achieve whatever success means to them.

“We believe small businesses run the world and as champions of small business, Xero is providing an opportunity for customers to apply for funding to take their next step. Whether that be to support a passion to become a more sustainable business, upskill employees, philanthropic work in the community, or integrating the latest AI into their business, the fund is here to help small businesses meet their dreams.”

The application, inclusive of a written form and a short video submission, will be available beginning on 23 August 2023 with the application period closing on 6 October 2023. 

Information on the Xero Beautiful Business Fund can be found at xero.com/beautiful-business-fund. Full terms and conditions including eligibility criteria will be available when entries open.

Threads versus Twitter

“The launch of Threads as a competitor to Twitter is a game-changer.

“Other platforms have attempted to serve as alternatives to Twitter since Elon Musk took over, with limited success.

“Mastodon was the first main ‘escape plan’ for Twitter fans, but many found it difficult to use (with multiple decentralised servers) and not replicate many of the features they loved about Twitter (such as viewing content from beyond your immediate circle through ‘likes’).

“Bluesky is another alternative, first conceived of by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey back in 2019 and launched in 2022. However, it has limited its subscriber base so far, with access by invitation only at this stage. People who are interested can sign up for the waiting list, but the timeline for access is unclear.

“Spoutible and Post launched in similar ways, also potentially relevant to Twitter audiences, but with limited subscriber access so far.

“What may give Threads an edge is that it’s a text-feed platform that looks and feels like Twitter;  it’s linked to Instagram, so it will enable people to use their same username; and people will be able to engage with their Instagram followers directly.

“This last point is critical. People are not just looking for something that offers similar functionality to Twitter. They want a platform where they can quickly find people they’re already engaging with so they can maintain social connections and not have to “start over” to build their community when they transition to a new platform.

“Instagram is already facilitating this by launching a ‘cheat’ for users to be among the first to download the new app by searching for ‘thread’ or ‘threads’ in Instagram’s search box and clicking on the red ‘admit one’ ticket icon to the right of the search box.

“Many users already have thousands of trusted followers and have built communities of like-minded people.

“Journalists and the public, for example, used Twitter to connect with experts and the original ‘blue ticks’ gave people certainty that they were engaging with authoritative sources.

“If Meta’s Threads can keep the features people love, not charge fees, offer easy access to existing followers, and provide a mechanism to verify accounts (especially to manage misinformation), it may well become a viable replacement for Twitter and increase the mass exodus that has already begun from Twitter’s core user base.”

Thoughts from: Professor Lisa Given is a Professor of Information Sciences and Director of RMIT’s Social Change Enabling Impact Platform. Her research examines people’s use of technology tools for decision-making in business contexts and everyday life.

Why not use a robotic window cleaner

ECOVACS ROBOTICS, the world’s leading service robotics brand and Australian market leader, has today been awarded a Canstar Blue 2023 Innovation Excellence Award for Cleaning Appliances for its recently-launched WINBOT W1 PRO robotic window cleaner.

Canstar Blue’s Innovation Excellence Awards are scored based on product uniqueness and how disruptive or new it is to the category, measuring the impact these innovative products have on consumers’ everyday lives.

The WINBOT W1 PRO robotic window cleaner features a range of proprietary cleaning and suction technology, and delivers a spotless and simple clean that epitomises ECOVACS’ commitment to deliver innovative home robotics to Australians that bring convenience and true time-saving benefits.

The WINBOT W1 PRO has been recognised by Canstar Blue due to its design, enabling Australians to clean without hassle, with features including dual direction cross auto-spray technology, powerful steady-climbing system, WIN-SLAM 3.0 path planning, anti-flare edge detection technology and strong suction power of 2800Pa. Its compatibility with the user-friendly ECOVACS App and ability to vocalise real time updates further enables a hands-free cleaning experience, freeing up time to focus on other activities, with the WINBOT W1 PRO also delivering an incredible clean to normally hard to reach areas.

Christine Seib, Editor in Chief, Canstar Blue:

 “The WINBOT W1 PRO’s mix of effectiveness, convenience and connectivity is what wowed Canstar Blue’s Innovation Excellence judging panel, which recognised that the combination relied on the development of multiple proprietary technologies by ECOVACS. Maintaining streak-free glass in and around the home is few people’s favourite job – and a job that’s just not physically possible for many householders – so the WINBOT W1 PRO also addresses a real consumer need.”

“This isn’t surprising from a company that has received multiple Innovation Excellence awards in the Appliances category due to its sharp focus on meeting Australians’ growing interest in time-saving robotic appliances with consistently strong product offerings.”

Karen Powell, Regional Director of Australia and New Zealand, ECOVACS ROBOTICS:

“We are honoured to be recognised in this year’s Canstar Blue Innovation Excellence Awards, which is made even more special by being the only brand recognised in Cleaning Appliances, for our WINBOT W1 PRO. It also marks the third year in a row that ECOVACS has won this award, an acknowledgement of our track record in consistently delivering new innovation, year-after-year, that delivers true convenience and time-saving benefits into Australian homes.”

“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2023, being recognised in this way by Canstar Blue is particularly meaningful, and we remain committed to leading advancements in home robotics into the future.”

WINBOT W1 PRO robotic window cleaner

Powerful steady climbing system and strong suction power combine to deliver a stable and firm cleaning experience

Built with high-quality materials and strong driving treads, the WINBOT W1 PRO has precise gravity settings that enables for a smooth and stable window cleaning experience. Combined with its strong suction power of 2800Pa, not only does this technology further strengthen the grip of the WINBOT W1 PRO on windows, it also delivers a firmer wipe.

Advanced WIN-SLAM 3.0 technology for a smart and systematic cleaning path

With the intelligent WIN-SLAM 3.0 technology, the WINBOT W1 PRO creates a thorough and comprehensive clean. Automatically cleaning in a back-and forth motion, it comes in three adaptive modes including fast clean, deep clean and spot clean.

Dual direction cross auto-spray delivers an efficient wide-angle clean

The WINBOT W1 PRO features a unique cross spraying technology that allows stains to be both dissolved and then wiped off no matter the size of the window. Its 60mL reservoir and wide range spray angle reduces the frequency of cloth changes needed and allows all cleaning areas to be kept wet, ensuring an efficient high-quality window cleaning experience is achieved.

Anti-flare edge detection allows for cleaning route adjustments

Featuring high-precision sensors, the WINBOT W1 PRO can smartly detect edges such as frameless windows. This technology means that it is able to adjust its cleaning route in just 0.02 seconds, making it suitable for all types of glass cleaning. 

Fitted with a microfiber cleaning pad for great water absorption

The WINBOT W1 PRO comes with a large microfiber material that allows for great water absorption and cleaning without any water streaks.

User-friendly app combined with real time updates enables for a hands-free clean

ECOVACS’ user-friendly app means that the WINBOT W1 PRO can be easily, conveniently, and remotely controlled. Combined with its ability to vocalise real time updates, time can now be spent on other tasks and a completely hands-free window cleaning experience can be achieved.

Pricing and Availability

The WINBOT W1 PRO is available now with a recommended retail price of $799. It is available instore at select Bing Lee stores, and online from JB Hi-Fi, Bing Lee, The Good Guys, Robot Specialist, Amazon, eBay or ECOVACS.com/au

Economic effects of eCommerce spending

As interest rates and inflation continue to put pressure on consumer spending, retailers are anticipating a slowdown in end-of-financial-year sales. But are most people just buying ‘essentials’? How are consumers approaching the quantity and quality of their eCommerce Spending? And are the EOFY sales driving a spike in spending? 

According to Shippit data – based on millions of online purchases from thousands of retailers, including Sephora, Target, Myer, Cotton On, BIG W, Kmart, Chemist Warehouse, Temple & Webster, and Coles – Australians are making fewer purchases and spending less per purchase. 

Volume of online purchases

When comparing the volume of online orders made state-by-state, only NT, WA and TAS saw an increase, while all other states made fewer online purchases. 

  • NT: 8%
  • WA: 7%
  • TAS: 6%
  • SA: -1%
  • VIC: -7%
  • ACT: -7%
  • QLD: -8%
  • NSW: -10%

eCommerce spending state transactions

When it comes to the average transaction value of online purchases, every single state experienced a decrease in May and June 2023 when compared to the corresponding months in 2022. 

2022 vs 2023
  • ACT       117.33                107.55   -8%
  • NSW      108.29                105.75    -2%
  • NT         130.83                129.21    -1%
  • QLD       107.95                105.36    -2%
  • SA          106.67                102.88    -4%
  • TAS        100.91                95.20     -6%
  • VIC        107.13                104.55    -2%
  • WA        97.09                   93.47      -4%

eCommerce spending winners and losers

When comparing the number of online orders in different categories, there are major swings.

  • Automotive 15%
  • Sports and Outdoor Activities 10%
  • Cosmetics and Toiletries 9%
  • Shoes and Footwear 8%
  • Apparel and Clothing -9%
  • Houseware and Home Furnishing -10%
  • Foods and Beverages -21%
  • Fashion Accessories -36%
  • Computers and Electronics -48%
  • Pet Food and Supplies -81%

The EOFY effect

While it might not have the same pull or phenomenon as Black Friday or the Boxing Day Sales, the EOFY sales do still have a pull for shoppers searching for a discount and retailers looking to boost their EOY revenue. Indeed, when breaking down the average transaction value there has been a huge surge between xx and xx. 

  • Fashion Accessories                         81.37    135.40    66%
  • Pet Food and Supplies                   109.54    153.73    40%
  • Computers and Electronics           245.31    308.05    26%
  • Foods and Beverages                       91.55    105.13    15%
  • Cosmetics and Toiletries               122.42    138.97    14%
  • Sports and Outdoor Activities     145.40    156.50      8%
  • Houseware and Home Furnishing  42.29    43.42        3%
  • Shoes and Footwear                       132.91    135.17      2%
  • Automotive                                      155.82    156.55      0%
  • Apparel and Clothing                       101.91    97.21       -5%

A selection of products surging or plummeting in popularity in 2023 compared to 2022 include:

  • Zelda: +997% (attributable to the recent release of Tears of the Kingdom)
  • Vibrators: +24% 
  • Louis Vuitton: +20% 
  • Lipstick: +19%
  • Bluey goods: +13% 
  • Snow gear; +12%
  • Monopoly: -11% 
  • Lego: -15%
  • Theragun Massager: -26% 
  • Televisions: -27% decrease
  • Goods with truffle in them: -84% 

85% of SME owners seeking cost reductions

Zeller, the Australian fintech reimagining business banking,
has unveiled new findings from the first Zeller Small Business Resilience Report. The report, collated
from the responses from over 600 Australian small businesses, reveals insights into how business
owners are impacted by, and are responding to, challenging economic conditions.
The report sheds light on the adverse impacts of declining consumer spending and escalating supply
costs and provides insights into the state of Australian small businesses. With a staggering 85% of
business owners currently seeking cost-cutting measures, the data underscores the urgent need for
innovative solutions to support the growth of small businesses.
Key data from the report include:
● Biggest factors impacting small businesses today: 42% of small business owners cite their
biggest concern as the increasing cost of supplies and materials, whilst 32% reported reduced
consumer spending as their biggest concern.
● Supply costs are increasing: 80% of small business owners estimated an increase in supply
costs of more than 10% in the past year, while 1 in 5 reported increases between 20 and 50%.
● Inflation impacts: 67% of small business owners raised concerns over inflation and rising
interest rates negatively impacting consumer spending.
● Staff shortages are reducing: Following COVID-related challenges in hiring employees, 64% of
businesses say it is easier to recruit new staff today than it was twelve months ago.
● Cost cutting is a top priority: 85% of small business owners are actively looking for ways to cut
costs — with many opting for tactics such as renegotiating supplier contracts or surcharging
EFTPOS fees. Over 1 in 2 transactions processed with Zeller EFTPOS Terminal in May 2023
included a surcharge, up +104% compared to the same month last year.
Joshua McNicol, Zeller Director of Growth, commented, “The Zeller Small Business Resilience Report
reveals the impact a challenging economic environment is having on small business owners — but we’re
encouraged to see adversity breeding opportunity. Australian small business owners demonstrate a
rare breed of determination in adapting and identifying solutions to sustain their businesses through
tough times. Through Zeller’s financial solutions, we’re arming business owners with real-time data from
their business payments and spending to make smarter decisions to manage their business through the
crunch.”
Small business owners featured within the Zeller report shared strategies they were deploying to
mitigate the impact of rising costs, without compromising the quality of their products or services.
Access to smarter financial tools and technology offered by Zeller are helping business owners to
better understand their cash flow and financial position.
“We look at our Zeller Dashboard frequently to gain a real-time snapshot of all of the funds coming into
our business from EFTPOS, and going out through expenses and spending. We use this information to
forecast and measure our success according to our budget – having this information in one place
means we can always keep track of business performance and react to changes,” commented Zeller
customer Malcolm McCullough, owner of Bill’s Farm in Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne.
Read the full Zeller Small Business Resilience Report here

Synology DS223j file management & sharing

Synology has announced the launch of the 2-bay DiskStation DS223j, its latest system in the entry-level J Series, designed to meet the needs of home office and small teams.

Using Synology’s intuitive DiskStation Manager (DSM), the DS223j features a host of options and applications for everyday data storage and management, including file syncing and sharing, backup, and video surveillance.

“The DS223j is an excellent NAS for small environments, be they home offices or even a bit larger,” said Michael Wang, Product Manager at Synology Inc. “With the DS223j, customers get energy-efficient hardware coupled with all the data management and protection tools they’ll need to effectively manage their files.”

Create a private cloud

The DS223j supports up to 36 TB of raw storage,1 making it an effective option for small teams to consolidate their data onto a single platform for safe and easy access. It is powered by the DSM operating system, which includes a multitude of backup, file sharing, and syncing applications that can be used to enhance remote work and collaboration.

Files can be managed securely, anytime and anywhere, using cross-device access, and with the included Synology Photos app users can back up, share, and organize their photos using intelligent management tools. Compared with its predecessors, the DS223j can handle more demanding tasks and a greater number of simultaneous users. Experience more than 180% faster file indexing in Synology Drive and over 200% faster image indexing in Synology Photos.

With the release of new DSM 7.2, expected in late spring, the DS223j will be the first J-series Synology NAS to support the Btrfs file system. This enables file self-healing to mitigate data corruption, as well as Synology’s Snapshot Replication feature. By creating frequent point-in-time snapshots, users can reverse unwanted and accidental file changes.

Learn more about file management

Keep your files in sync

Synology Drive allows users to easily share and sync files across their PCs, Macs, and mobile devices from anywhere in the world, helping teams spread across different time zones ensure their workflow stays smooth and productive.

The DS223j can also integrate with public cloud service providers, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive, enabling users to save files to and from third-party cloud drives and retain true data ownership.

Learn more about Synology Drive

Protect your premises

Trusted by 500,000 sites around the globe, Synology Surveillance Station helps keep your premises secure. With support for over 8,300 validated IP cameras, Surveillance Station’s thoughtfully designed tools let users efficiently monitor video feeds, detect security events, and analyze footage.

The DS223j can be used to monitor up 12 IP cameras,2 and with C2 Surveillance users can easily encrypt, archive, and back up their surveillance footage to the cloud if required.

Learn more about Surveillance Station

Availability

The DS223j is available today from Synology partners and resellers. For more detailed information, please visit https://www.synology.com/products/DS223j