The release of the latest building approvals and lending figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today are showing signs of ongoing decline in economic activity said Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn.

“The number of loans fell back again during September 2022 both to owner occupiers and housing investors. This coincides with weaker building approvals which dropped by 5.8 per cent compared with August.

“Australia’s building and construction industry is one of the most sensitive parts of the economy to interest rates rises and the figures for September underline the delicate state of the new home building market,” Ms Wawn said.

Detached house building approvals saw a much sharper drop of 7.8 per cent compared with medium/high density dwellings. In previous months, there had been signs that new detached house building approvals had steadied out.

Despite the big interest rate increases, average loan sizes are still bigger than a year ago for most categories. Loans for major home renovations works are still well higher for both owner occupiers and housing investors at +13.6 per cent and +12.4 per cent respectively.

Interestingly, there was a big gain in approvals for apartments in high-rise buildings of nine plus storeys. The strengthening picture for high-rise may be related to the anticipated recovery of inward migration to major cities.

“The building and construction industry continues to be impacted by product cost pressures and a shortage of tradespeople.

“Any significant government policy changes, like the Government’s proposed industrial relations legislation, needs to be carefully considered against this backdrop,” Ms Wawn said.

Following the success of its initial range of Unmanaged PoE Switches with Long Reach PoE technology, D-Link A/NZ has extended its switch portfolio with the launch of its new DGS-F1210 Series Smart Switches. The four new additional Smart Managed models offer 8, 16 and 24 PoE+ Ports, with Long Reach and Extended PoE capability, to supply 802.3af/at PoE and connectivity on Ethernet cables up to 250 metres long. The new DGS-F1210 Series of Smart Managed Switches also provide an advanced feature set including VLAN, LACP, RSTP, MSTP, ERPS and more. There’s also 6KV surge protection for connected devices and an easy to manage web-based GUI, as well as the option to use the full CLI interface if required.

The DGS-F1210 Series is a diverse group of clever Gigabit Long Reach PoE Smart Managed Switches. With a wide variety of port options users can provide power for their PoE powered devices including IP Cameras, CCTV devices, VoIP Phones and Wi-Fi Access Points. D-Link has thoughtfully offered a range of Switches that will suit almost all types of customer requirements, including a 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet switch with an extended PoE budget of 380 Watts.

The switches are also enhanced with 6KV surge protection which effectively protects each Switch against sudden electrical surges caused by events such as lightning strikes or unstable electrical current. The built-in 6KV surge protection also significantly reduces the chances of any connected equipment being damaged from electrical surges and effectively lowers maintenance costs by minimising the need for expensive equipment repairs or replacement.

Another valuable safety asset is the DGS-F1210 Series’ Mission-Critical Resiliency as it features sub-50ms recovery thanks to its Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) capabilities, while its Spanning Tree Protocols (STP) enable alternative paths for Layer 2 failover. Link Aggregation (802.3ad) and Quality of Service (QoS) with Weighted Round Robin (WRR) are also enabled, so that VoIP and IPTV applications run smoothly and seamlessly. The network OAM also helps enable service providers to fulfill their Service-Level Agreements and provide carrier-grade service.

The DGS-F1210 Series employs robust security as it maintains strict control over network access thanks to IEEE 802.1X port/host-based access control, VLANs and RADIUS authentication, enhanced by IP-MAC-Port Binding at the user level. Loop Protection guards the network from broadcast, multicast and unicast flooding, while Access Control Listing (ACL) bolsters network security without sacrificing Switch performance.

The DGS-F1210 Series is particularly stable, even under pressure, as it boasts a host of critical features that enhance reliability. With support for PoE, connected devices can be powered in remote locations where an electric outlet is difficult to access making deployments much easier. Should power related issues occur there are also capabilities such as a PoE Watchdog, in addition to its 6kV surge protection, on all Gigabit Ethernet ports and cable diagnostics for quick troubleshooting. This makes for all around lower operating expenses. 

Like D-Link’s other Smart Managed switches the DGS-F1210 Series offer a range of essential and advanced features that help to ensure networks run 24/7. The web Interface is particularly easy to navigate and user-friendly making these new Switches simple to configure. As a result, administrators can save time, effort and money. 

DGS-F1210-26MPS-E

DGS-F1210 Series Switches Key Features

            • Models with 8, 16 and 24 PoE+ Ports and up to 380 Watts power budget

            • 2 SFP Ports on each model

            • 8 Ports with 250 metres of Long Reach PoE Technology

            • “No configuration” shortcut buttons for instant deployment

            • VLAN, LACP, RSTP, MSTP, ERPS and more

            • Advanced security features including 802.1x

            • User friendly web interface or Command Line Interface (CLI)

Availability and Pricing

The new DGS-F1210 Series Switches are available now from www.dlink.com.au and from all D-Link certified partners and resellers for the following RRP:

DGS-F1210-10PS-E
10-Port Gigabit Smart Managed PoE+ Switch with 8 Long Reach PoE Ports and 2 SFP Ports
AUD$949.95,

DGS-F1210-18PS-E

18-Port Gigabit Smart Managed PoE+ Switch with 16 PoE+ Ports (8 Long Reach 250m)

AUD$1099.95

DGS-F1210-26PS-E

26-Port Gigabit Smart Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 PoE+ Ports (8 Long Reach 250m),

230 Watts power budget and 2 SFP Ports

AUD$1299.95

DGS-F1210-26MPS-E

26-Port Gigabit Smart Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 PoE+ Ports (8 Long Reach 250m),

380 Watts power budget and 2 SFP Ports

AUD$1749.95

Providing users with the tools to keep moving in a mobile workforce, Brother International Australia has announced the launch of the next generation of mobile A4 printers, the PJ-800 series.

The successor to Brother’s popular PJ-700 series, the PJ-800 series retains the same compact design, perfect for those in markets such as field sales and service, delivery and logistics, and emergency services. The new range also provides a host of improvements including improved connectivity, faster print speeds up to 13.5ppm¹ and high-quality outputs up to 300dpi².

With five new models – PJ-822, PJ-823, PJ-862, PJ-863, and PJ-883 – businesses can select the printer that best meets their needs with a range of connectivity options available across USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

Further improving flexibility, the PJ-800 series supports both charging and data transfer via USB Type-C, as well as a variety of printer command languages, including ZPL2 emulation.

The series also provides fantastic value with compatibility for all accessories from the previous line-up (including batteries) and free customer support for the lifetime of the product.  

On the range, David Molloy, Mobile Print & Labelling Specialist at Brother International Australia said: “While developing the new PJ-800 series, our priority was to offer improved specifications while maintaining everything that was great about its predecessor. That’s exactly what we have achieved here – the design is still extremely compact, which is unique for a full-page print solution, and our existing customers can upgrade their printer while keeping their existing accessories.”

“Our main objective is to enable the mobile workforce to get on with the job at hand, whether they are emergency service workers, field service engineers or mobile sales teams. They can do this without the added burden of follow-up administrative tasks or errors relating to handwritten documentation. The PJ-800 series is a true mobile solution as no ink is required, meaning no refills or spillages whilst on the move.”

Key features of the Brother PJ-800 series include:

–    Print anywhere, anytime: At just 26cm wide and weighing approximately 480g (excluding battery), all products in the PJ-800 series offer a true A4 mobile solution that fits easily into a briefcase or computer bag and can be mounted in vehicles or other work areas.

–    Reliable thermal technology: Advanced, direct thermal technology offers the most reliable portable printing solution that allows busy mobile workforces to focus on the job at hand without needing to purchase ink, toner, or ribbons.

–    Fast, high-quality printing: Experience print speeds of 13.5ppm¹ and high-quality, 300dpi outputs² that ensure your documents are always available when you need them and are of professional quality. In addition, the ability to print on both thin and thicker paper up to 75gsm affords you the flexibility to print a range of documents including invoices, order forms, quotes, contracts and more, using only one device.

–    Connect your way: With convenient connectivity options available at your fingertips including Bluetooth, dual band Wi-Fi, USB-C and NFC, the PJ-800 series can adapt to your working environment.³ It can easily connect to your Apple, Android, or Windows devices to streamline your workflows.

–    Seamless integration and setup: Whether you’re deploying a fleet of portable printers for the first time, or you are upgrading your existing hardware, the PJ-800 series is designed for seamless integration and easy setup to minimise disruptions to your workforce. With the ability to support printer command languages, including ZPL2 emulation, this mobile printer offers compatibility with a variety of embedded systems.

–    A complete mobile printing solution: The PJ-800 series has a host of optional accessories available that allow you to tailor it specifically to the needs of your workforce. These include USB-C AC adapters, long-lasting Li-ion batteries, paper guides, and protective cases to name a few. What’s more, if you are upgrading your fleet from the PJ-700 series, all accessories are backward compatible so you can continue using accessories that have been tried and tested within your business to minimise downtime and maximise convenience.

–   At your side support: Wherever you are in Australia, Brother offers free customer care for the lifetime of your product.


All models will be available via Brother’s B2B channels from December, 2022.

Full specifications are available here www.brother.com.au/en/products/all-mobile-printers.  

New Relic announced a collaboration with Carta and Zendesk to expand access to its startups program to empower early-stage engineering teams with access to the same tools used by world-class organisations. This collaboration accelerates New Relic’s goal to democratise access to observability so that all engineering teams can monitor, debug, and optimise their entire stack to deliver better customer experiences.

New Relic for Startups launched in 2021 with the goal to give every engineer at startups the tools to deliver software with confidence without compromising vendor choices due to cost or engineering constraints. The program has rapidly grown to include hundreds of early-stage startups across every industry, from finance and media to gaming and retail. New Relic for Startups users include companies like Hex, a platform for analytics and data science that helps data teams at places like Notion and OpenSea quickly analyse data, collaborate with others, and publish their work as interactive data apps. Founded in October 2019, Hex has raised more than US$73 million from Andreessen Horowitz, Snowflake, Databricks, Redpoint Ventures, and Amplify Partners.

“As data scientists and engineers ourselves, we’ve lived the pain of slow queries, painful interfaces, and broken data pipelines,” said Hex Co-Founder and CTO Caitlin Colgrove. “We want to spare our users from those experiences. We run extremely large Kubernetes clusters and New Relic has helped us quickly understand the health of our pods, receive alerts about performance issues that might impact customers, and drill into requests moving between all of our cloud services.”

To expand the reach of the program, Carta and Zendesk have collaborated with New Relic for Startups to provide best-in-class platforms to scale both engineering and business practices to the next generation of founders. This includes making the New Relic observability platform accessible to fast-growing startups that are currently using Carta or Zendesk tools. In addition, companies in the New Relic for Startups program have greater access to tools and resources provided by Carta and Zendesk. Benefits for eligible startups include:

• Access to the same developer tools world-class engineering organisations use to observe, analyse, and improve the performance of their software, including the New Relic observability platform that unifies 16 monitoring tools in one.
• Generous credits and discounts across the New Relic observability platform, Carta’s equity management and company-building solutions, and Zendesk’s customer service, engagement, and sales CRM solution so startups can focus on building companies around big ideas while preserving burn rates.
• Easier qualification across the three programs. Startups already qualified for Carta and Zendesk’s programs will likely qualify for New Relic for Startups, and startups in the New Relic for Startups program will likely qualify for programs provided by Carta and Zendesk.

“The future of Australia and New Zealand’s technology industry is in the hands of today’s startups. These entrepreneurial problem solvers have the ability to move fast with little red tape, but they often lack the resources and tooling that they need to scale,” said New Relic Regional Vice President ANZ, Jason Leonidas. “New Relic’s expanded startup program will enable early-stage companies to establish DevOps and data-driven engineering practices early, so that they can see a complete picture of their apps and systems in a single platform.”

“The Carta startup program is designed to help founders scale and make software buying decisions easier. We’re thrilled to partner with New Relic for Startups to provide our founders with a world-class observability platform to monitor their entire technology stack,” said Carta Head of Strategy and Tech Partnerships, Marisabel Agosto.

“We at Zendesk are excited to partner with the New Relic team,” said Zendesk for Startups Partnership Manager, Adam O’Donnell. “We have thousands of startups apply for our program each year, and we try to help them grow by offering deals from other great companies. We believe New Relic will help our founders ship better software faster by monitoring and debugging their stack accurately.”

Startups can apply for New Relic for Startups directly through New Relic, or by visiting Carta startup stack or Zendesk dealbook. To qualify for New Relic for Startups, startups must be seed to pre-series B in financing, less than 10 years old, not a current New Relic customer, and have fewer than 100 employees.

New research from Monash University has found traditional bricks and mortar retail stores have surged in popularity post-pandemic, with Australians preferring to shop in-store across most product categories including apparel, personal care and household goods.

However, Australians rate the online shopping experience better, and return more items purchased in-store than online.

The annual Retail Monitor survey of 1,000 Australian shoppers from the Australian Consumer and Retail Studies (ACRS) unit in the Monash Business School, shows bricks and mortar is back with physical shopping returning to pre-pandemic levels. 

“Prior to the pandemic, there was a clear divide amongst shoppers over physical versus online shopping experiences, with the majority of Australian shoppers preferring to use physical stores as their main channel for non-grocery retail purchases,” says Dr Eloise Zoppos, Principal Research Consultant at the ACRS.

“During COVID-19, online became the main non-grocery retail channel out of necessity and the majority of Australian shoppers turned to online methods, a trend which was accelerated by the pandemic. We’re now seeing the return of a preference for physical stores and shoppers are moving between the offline and online worlds more seamlessly than ever before”.

Among the key findings of the ACRS report:

• Online shopping rates more favourably in key attributes – product availability, product ranges and sales and promotions. 
• 66 per cent of shoppers have returned an item they bought in-store whereas only 42 per cent returned an item they bought online 
• Over a third of Australian shoppers (72 per cent) have returned an item they purchased from either physical or online stores.

The survey shows 70 per cent of Australians purchased clothing, footwear and accessories in-store or online in the three months to September 2022, on par with early 2020 (also 70 per cent). 

Personal care was also a popular purchase (49 per cent), with household items decreasing slightly in popularity since early 2020 (42 per cent 2022, compared to 54 per cent 2020).

The report also found that despite their preference for in-store shopping, Aussies rate the in-store shopping experience lower than that of online, particularly on key attributes like product availability, product ranges and sales and promotions. 

For example, the overall physical shopping experience was rated 4 points lower than online, product availability rated 18 points lower, and both product ranges and sales and promotions each rated 11 points lower.

Dr Zoppos says that although Aussie shoppers are revelling in the ability to shop in-store again, their expectations are higher than ever.

“Research shows that the ability to see, touch and trial goods is the most influential factor of purchase decisions, and when it comes to tactile products such as apparel and household goods, factors such as size, fit and quality are paramount, but difficult to judge online”, she says.

Another finding uncovered in the report is the increasing importance and prevalence of retail returns.  

Over half of consumers (58 per cent) said return options are one of the most important factors when making a purchase, only coming in behind price-related factors, and quality and customer service.  And well over a third of Australian shoppers (72 per cent) said they’ve returned an item they purchased from a physical or online store. 

The report found that a far higher proportion of shoppers have returned an item they bought in-store (66 per cent) than those who have returned an item they bought online (42 per cent).

Clothing, footwear and accessories was the top product category for returns across both purchase channels, with 66 per cent of shoppers saying they’ve returned apparel purchased in-store, and 61 per cent saying they’ve returned apparel purchased online. 

“With consumers using online channels more than ever before, it is now increasingly important that retailers provide shoppers with seamless returns experiences to meet their increasing expectations.

“Rather than see returns as a problem, retailers should look at returns as an important stage of the customer journey; one that when done right, can result in customer loyalty, advocacy, and a cycle back to the purchasing stage of the customer retail journey,” said Dr Zoppos. 

Synology has revealed upcoming solutions that help businesses achieve more, become more resilient, and better resolve IT challenges through the power and flexibility of hybrid cloud architectures and an expanding ecosystem of tightly integrated solutions.

Significant innovations across all products, spanning data management, data protection, and IT infrastructure security, set an even higher bar for reliability, security, and scalability. 

Data management

An even more secure foundation

DSM 7.2, expected in early 2023, will introduce full-volume encryption, offering greater peace of mind while boosting storage performance by 48% over shared folder-based encryption. DSM 7.2 will also introduce “write once, read many” (WORM) folders. These tamper-proof folders prevent modification or deletion of data during a set period of time. And just like new immutable backups in Hyper Backup, which bar any changes after creation, they help protect data against ransomware and cyberthreats.

Share and collaborate with ease

Updates to Synology’s private cloud solution, Synology Drive, help keep files safer during sharing between teams with watermarks and download policies. Remote wipe capabilities help minimize security risks by removing synced folders from stolen Windows and macOS clients. Automatic login with AD credentials following mass deployment, as well as the provisioning of backup and syncing tasks, make mass deployment simpler.

Sharing data over SMB will be safer and more efficient in DSM 7.2. Cross-protocol file locking between SMB file shares and Synology Drive ensures that in-use files are not edited or overwritten. And SMB multichannel transfer support makes use of all network connections available between servers and clients to greatly boost SMB file transfer performance.

Next-generation storage servers

Also launching in 2023 are new scale-out systems designed for file and object storage. Scale-out clusters will be considerably faster than Synology’s current largest solutions, with near linear scaling of performance and capabilities as more units are added.

The first generation of scale-out systems will support clusters of up to 60 servers for more than 12 PB of effective storage, over 60 GB/s sequential write performance, and more than 80,000 concurrent connections. The clusters will offer upwards of 99.99% availability and support Synology’s Hyper Backup and Active Backup data protection suites.

Data protection

Worldwide backup management

A new management platform for Active Backup and C2 Backup aims to enable seamless management, deployment, and monitoring of backup tasks across an organization’s IT infrastructure, regardless of location or scale. The new platform brings together Synology on-premises and cloud-based solutions, providing IT admins and MSPs with the most efficient tools to protect and ensure timely recovery of any device or service.

Video surveillance

AI-powered cameras

Launching in early 2023, Synology 500 Series IP cameras will offer superior performance, security, and integration, with all camera settings managed directly from Surveillance Station. Edge AI capabilities, such as guarding intrusion detection zones, free up recording server resources to allow larger AI-powered deployments, while dedicated processing speeds up people and vehicle searches anywhere in the video frame.

Coming in two form factors, Synology 500 Series cameras feature 5 MP sensors for wide-angle 16:9, 3K (2880×1620) recording at 30 FPS. The cameras support PoE and are weatherproof (IP67), enabling flexible placement indoors or outdoors. Synology 500-series cameras are US NDAA/TAA compliant and are designed for security, introducing similar security innovations and hardening methods found on Synology enterprise products.

Hybrid-cloud services

Automated breach and misuse detection

Active Insight is evolving to automatically prevent user activities in breach of data protection rules. The new data loss prevention feature monitors user activities such as logins, file access, sharing task creation, while comparing checksums of files that are uploaded or shared. When thresholds or rules are triggered, the system can either send alerts or take actions, such as disconnecting clients suspected of being infected by ransomware.

Securing devices and credentials

The Synology C2 Identity platform continues to grow, with a heavy emphasis on blending good security practices with convenience. In 2023, C2 Identity will receive several improvements to enable passwordless logins to both online and local services and devices. Integration with Windows Hello and Apple’s Face ID/Touch ID facilitates easy authentication on endpoints managed by C2 Identity.

And combined with an upcoming C2 Identity user portal, employees using managed endpoints can be automatically signed in to web services supporting SAML, with the option to enable 2FA for more sensitive services such as a company’s ERP or CRM systems.

Networking

A new Wi-Fi 6 router with advanced networking features

Building on the SRM 1.3 platform, the new WRX560 brings the same high-end network management features from the RT6600ax into a more affordable price point. With powerful internal dual-band radios and a 2.5GbE LAN/WAN port, WRX560 can easily be added as a mesh node to any RT6600ax router or utilized as a standalone solution for homes and offices. WRX560 is launching globally on 2 November at US$209.

American Express’ Working Capital Research ¹ explores the impact cash flow uncertainty has on the mental health and wellbeing of Australian small business owners² (SBOs). 

The report found that 49% of SBOs say managing cash flow is the most stressful part of running their business, with 31% losing sleep over the issue. 21% claim their physical wellbeing has been affected by cash flow tension and 22% report it has put a strain on or broke down personal relationships. What’s more, 17% of owners have considered ceasing operations due to cash flow challenges impacting their wellbeing. 

The research examined the factors Australian SBOs say are contributing most significantly towards their stress levels. Alongside customers not paying on time, inflation and the rising costs of living, a lack of knowledge about how to best optimise their working capital strategy were amongst the reported stressors. This is despite 79% of owners stating that managing their businesses’ working capital cycle is an important part of running their business. 

Additional Working Capital Research findings include: 

• 54% of small business owners say the stress caused by managing their business cash flow has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic 

• 53% say that they rely on their customers to pay on time, otherwise they struggle to pay their own bills or suppliers 

• 28% say their business is still being affected by an emergency they experienced in the last 12 months  

• 49% use personal funds to pay for outgoing expenses  

• 35% agree that they don’t know where to start when it comes to managing their working capital cycle 

• 51% say having access to capital without interest for a longer period would help them pay off suppliers in time and give them more opportunity to invest in their business 

• 76% would use a business credit or charge card to help manage their small business cash flow 

With Australian SBOs naming repayment cycles and cash flow as one of the biggest barriers to sustaining their business and maintaining personal wellbeing, American Express has today announced enhancements to the American Express Business Card. The Card is designed to support small business owners and extend their working capital cycles with a market-leading³ extended cashflow benefit of up to 110 days to pay for purchases⁴ and no pre-set spending limit⁵.  

Emily Roberts, Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Sales and Account Development at American Express says: “Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding, but the day-to-day stress of paying suppliers and staff, and finding new opportunities to grow, can take a huge toll on mental health, especially when the unexpected happens. There are things however that owners can do to help alleviate the stress of running a business. Getting cash flow in check is one of these. Optimising cash flow puts business owners in a better position to navigate unforeseen circumstances, reinvest in their business, their people, and just as importantly, themselves. Tools such as business charge cards help to increase funds that are available for day-to-day operations and provide extra breathing space to repay.” 

Another tool American Express offers to help businesses with their funding needs, is American Express Business Loans, which offer unsecured working capital of up to $300,000 and repayment terms that range from 6 to 36 months.   

To manage the impact of inflation, SBOs are seeking savvier ways to ensure their money goes further. The research reveals 33% of small business owners agree that due to inflation and the fluctuating Australian dollar, locking in exchange rates for overseas transactions would help them minimise spend uncertainties and help protect their profit margins.  

American Express is assisting through its Foreign Exchange Services, where SBOs can make international payments even if they aren’t a Card Member. American Express AccessLine also enables enrolled Card Members to pay virtually any supplier anywhere in the world, even if they don’t accept American Express card payments plus American Express Membership Rewards points can be earned in the process.  
 

Jennifer Mekhaeil, Accountant and Founder of skincare company Go Bare, said “I’m an accountant by trade and still my working cash flow for Go Bare is a constant source of worry. Being in the midst of an international expansion, the stress has definitely flowed into my everyday life, prompting me to lose sleep and negatively impact my mental health. For me, negotiating different payment cycles with my various suppliers and necessary business services has been instrumental in maintaining my available working capital. Having the right partner in American Express has also been critical. Simple yet meaningful services across foreign exchange and AccessLine have helped to keep Go Bare running as we navigate this exciting new phase of growth.” 

With SBOs admitting they don’t have the knowledge they need to best optimise their working capital strategy, many are looking to the government and financial service providers for more support. 

Alexi Boyd, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) said: “Small business owners are some of the most resilient people in Australia, but economic headwinds have created an environment where they are exhausted, mentally and financially. One of the most underutilised and least understood aspects of running a resilient business is managing working capital. This latest research makes one thing clear: small business owners are acutely aware of the challenges they face and are calling out for support to take back control of their business today and into the future. There is such an important role for the wider business community and government to play in providing small businesses with the tools they need to excel.”  

Despite the significant mental health toll that working capital – or a lack thereof – is having on Australian SBOs, 72% remain optimistic about their business’s future. In fact, 23% agree that if they had access to more working capital, they would invest in themselves and their family. 

Sarah Davidson Holloway, start-up entrepreneur and media personality said: “The topic of money for any business owner can often be a stressful one, but there are ways that owners can set themselves up for success and ease some of the burden they carry home with them. For example:  

1. Seek financial advice from an expert who can share savvy ways to make money go further 

• Take breaks away from the business to reset and gain a fresh perspective  

• Invest in the right cash flow tools that exist to help small businesses succeed.” 

Leanne Faulkner, Founder of Fortitude at Work and small business mental health advocate said, “It’s important to understand the nuances of small business and the way this affects our mental health at work. We live and breathe our businesses and don’t shut off from everything. We know lots about creating a healthy workplace in large organisations, but it’s a mistake to think small business is simply a smaller version of a big company.  

How SBOs work, how we make decisions and how we thrive is different. Through these findings, SBOs say we do not work in a bubble, we rely on others in our business ecosystem to help support our ability to work well every day. Any support from big businesses to help empower our daily operations and potentially relieve some working capital stress is welcome, so we can be at our best and focus on growth.  

There is now more community support available for the small business sector and I’d encourage all SBOs to reach out and talk to someone if they’re feeling overwhelmed, regardless of the situation. There are many who want to help us.” 

For access to mental health support and resources for SBOs in particular, head to: 

• Beyond Blue New Access For Small Business Owners: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess/newaccess-for-small-business-owners 
• Small Business Debt Helpline: https://sbdh.org.au/ 
• Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 
• Ahead For Business: https://aheadforbusiness.org.au/ 

Poly, a global provider of pro-grade audio and video solutions, today announced that its award-winning line of Poly Studio X family of video bars will be the first Android-based, single codec video appliances for Google Meet. The Studio X Family joins Poly’s growing list of devices certified for Google Meet, Google Voice, and Chrome OS, so users can look and sound their best on every call.

The entire Poly Studio X family, including: Poly Studio X30, Studio X50, Studio X70, and the TC8 controller (an intuitive 8” high-resolution touch display that lets Google Meet customers access meetings with ease) will be the first Android-based appliances to offer a native Google Meet experience and deliver a streamlined, purpose-built experience for any meeting room. 

Each video bar in the Poly Studio X family features smart, broadcast quality video for meeting rooms of all sizes with innovative capabilities, including:

• Poly DirectorAI – Smart camera technology that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver real-time automatic transitions, framing and tracking
• Audio innovations such as NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence technologies that block-out unwanted background noise. 
• People framing – A Poly DirectorAI feature that gives an up-close view of each meeting participant, Poly is the only partner that delivers people framing with advanced AI capabilities for Google Meet (available on the Studio X70)

“Poly’s innovation across its pro-grade audio and video solutions are the ultimate equalisers for a consistently great meeting experience, which is why we chose to partner with Poly as the first Android-based video appliances certified for Google Meet,” said David Citron Director Google Meet and Voice. “Together, we are committed to equipping today’s hybrid workforce with the technology that takes meetings to the next level.”

“Poly and Google Workspace are celebrating this milestone of providing an intuitive and powerful enterprise-gradevideo conferencing solution for Google Meet customers,” said Bill Zeng, Senior Director, APAC, Poly. “We share a common vision of providing an immersive and equitable meeting experience for all participants by reimagining the future of meetings and the hybrid collaboration experience.” 

The Poly Studio X family provides a first of its kind comprehensive room solution for Google Meet rooms of all sizes (Studio X30 for small rooms, Studio X50 for medium rooms, Studio X70 for large rooms), featuring:

• Full HD video with Poly DirectorAI smart camera experiences
• Room-filling audio and crystal-clear microphone pickup
• Poly USB Device Mode for multi-platform flexibility
• Dual display (X50/X70) to see both people and content full screen
• One-touch click to join via TC8 controller
• Managed by Poly Lens and Google Workspace
• Highly secure with a hardened operating system, secure update distribution, and third-party testing for security vulnerabilities  

According to a recent report issued by Frost & Sullivan^[i], the top concerns related to the future of hybrid work are lack of meeting equity, lack of proper technology, and distractions at home. Poly’s suite of pro-grade audio and video gear is designed to eliminate distracting background noise and deliver total meeting equity. 

Poly offers a wide range of Google Cloud certified solutions that provide users with flexibility and choice, regardless of location or workstyle, including:

• Google Meet: Poly Studio USB video bar, and Poly Studio P5 personal webcam, as well as Voyager headsets and Poly Sync speakerphones are part of our list of collaboration devices certified for Google Meet.
• Google Voice: Poly offers a long list of devices certified for Google Voice, and is proud to be the exclusive desk phone manufacturer certified to Work with Google Voice. Our Google Voice portfolio also includes headsets, speakerphones, and the Poly Studio P5 webcam.  
• Chrome OS: Poly’s portfolio devices certified to work with Chromebook includes headsets from the Blackwire, Encore Pro, and Savi headset families, and also includes video conferencing gear like the Poly Studio P15 for focus rooms and personal spaces. 

All Poly devices certified for Google Meet and Google Voice are supported by the Poly Lens App on PC and Mac, which allows IT managers to troubleshoot, push software updates, and remotely manage devices. Poly Lens App support will be available for ChromeOS devices in Q2 2023.

Poly Studio X family certified for Google Meet will be available worldwide in January 2023. All other certified devices listed above are currently available.

For more information on Poly certified devices for Google Meet, Google Voice, and Chromebooks, please visit: Poly Solutions for Google.

Jabra, a leader in personal sound and office solutions, launches the Jabra Evolve2 Buds, the newest product in Jabra’s Evolve series. In an age where hybrid working is standard for most professionals, having the freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere is important. The top-of-the-range, new Evolve2 Buds are designed to boost concentration and improve collaboration for professionals working on the go. Evolve2 Buds are certified for leading virtual meeting platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and use the latest technology to reduce disruptive background noise and enable clearer calls.

Minimised distractions

When working from home, the office or in a public space, we are often wrought with distractions everywhere: from the sounds of our washing machine churning to the sound of a barista working the coffee machine to colleagues chattering in the background. For this reason, the Evolve2 Buds come with an Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology which hybrid-working professionals can use to personalise the ANC to their listening preferences, blocking out any external sounds and minimising distractions. The Evolve2 Buds also come with a sealing test feature called MyFit, as well as SafeTone™ with PeakStop, which ensures enhanced hearing protection and the most optimal seal for the best, personalised ANC experience.

Greater call quality and crystal-clear conversations

It’s more important than ever for employees to be heard on calls and to be able to talk freely with their co-workers without being interrupted, especially as virtual meetings become the norm. With many of us now used to the true wireless earbud form factor, Jabra developed the Evolve2 Buds to enable users to have high-quality conversations with Jabra MultiSensor Voice™. It uses a unique combination of four microphones, bone conduction sensors, and advanced algorithms to block out as much of the surrounding noise as possible so the user can be heard clearly by those on the call, contributing to more focused conversation experiences.

Extensive range and connectivity for flexibility

For those seeking stable connectivity and increased mobility, the Evolve2 Buds feature a long wireless range, owing to the unique, in-case dongle that can be plugged into your PC. With a wireless range of up to 20 meters/65 feet, the Evolve2 Buds give employees the ability to move around their home or hybrid/remote work environments without compromising call quality.

Certified for leading virtual meeting platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom, the earbuds come with 5 hours of talk time and a total of 33 hours of battery including the charging case, avoiding the inconvenience of your earbuds running out of charge mid-meeting.

“The world we live in today has made us crave freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere. At the same time, we also learnt from our Hybrid Ways of Working 2022 research about the role that technology plays in increasing employee inclusion in hybrid work. With all that in mind, we sought to create a product with our new Jabra Evolve2 Buds to empower professionals to look, sound and be professional on the go,” says Holger Reisinger, SVP at Jabra.

Key features of the Evolve2 Buds:

• Certified for Microsoft Teams and leading UC platforms – for enhanced collaboration experience
• MultiSensor Voice technology – ensures professional call performance by using multiple mics and Jabra algorithms to block out noise
• Plug-and-play USB adapter for enhanced connectivity – 20 metre/65 feet rangeallows users the freedom to move around their work environment
• Advanced Multipoint connection – connect to two devices at one time
• Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation – filters out background noise allowing for increased focus
• HearThrough and single earbud use – allows the user to hear surrounding sounds through the earbuds whilst wearing them
• Increased battery life – with 33 hours of battery, including the case and wireless charging
• Ultra-discreet design – for ultimate comfort and a professional look

The Jabra Evolve2 Buds are available for $399 RRP

FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company, is enhancing its services with delivery notifications and personalised options now available on WhatsApp.

The integration of one of the world’s most popular instant messaging apps into the FedEx® Delivery Manager International (FDMi) e-commerce solution is being launched in FedEx Express’ Australia.

FDMi is an interactive e-commerce delivery solution that provides customisable delivery options and alerts. E-tailers using the solution can offer their residential customers the ability to pick the timing and location of their deliveries to fit their schedule – and change the delivery address when the shipment is in transit – giving them extra flexibility at no extra cost.

The WhatsApp instant messaging social media platform currently has over 2 billion active users globally^[1]. In Australia and New Zealand, the WhatsApp platform is used by around 40% of the population as people are spending more time online than ever before.  Over 80% of the population over the age of 16 in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the UAE are WhatsApp users, while more than one in four Filipinosuse WhatsApp, making it the most favoured social media platform in those countries.With such high penetration in each market, the integration of WhatsApp into FDMi makes it an effective solution for shoppers.

Recipients expecting inbound deliveries receive a WhatsApp notification from FedEx Express upon shipment pickup. FedEx uses a Meta verified WhatsApp business account to help mitigate the risk of recipients responding to scams perpetrated on WhatsApp using the FedEx brands. Recipients can access tracking status and re-direct options with the click of a button directly in the WhatsApp chat window.

“We continuously strive to enhance our services to make our solutions more accessible and useful while adding value and supporting the growth of local businesses”, said Peter Langley, Vice President of FedEx Express Australasia. “The integration is another important step in continuous augmentation of our service suites to better support making business easier and deliveries more manageable for customers within this dynamic region.”

“We know that consumers have an increasing preference for personalized delivery services. Integrating social platforms of choice like WhatsApp into our digital solutions gives an added boost to the convenience we can offer to e-commerce customers”, said Salil Chari, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Customer Experience of FedEx Express’ AMEA Region. “This service enhancement is another example of how we are working at the intersection of our digital and physical networks to create differentiated, customer-centric service experiences”. 

The integration of WhatsApp into FDMi is a win-win for all participants in the e-commerce ecosystem. In an increasingly competitive online marketplace, FDMi helps e-tailers, especially SMEs, provide a differentiated service offer. Customers get more peace of mind through the traceability of their package on their mobile device as well as an enhanced online shopping experience. It also helps FedEx Express minimise delivery attempts to recipients who may not be at home.