News, views and reviews from NZ’s tech sector No Images? Click here Dear , For years we've heard that technology will make our jobs easier. And in many ways it has. But it always seems to be accompanied with higher expectations to do more work, faster, making our jobs harder and more complex and needing better technology to compete. More recently we've been warned that the way we're going, automatons are going to take our jobs, displacing workers and creating mass unemployment. But are we looking at the issue all wrong? This week we’ve got two stories exploring how automation might impact our working lives. Donovan Jackson takes a philosophical look at what work actually is, and what it means for the future of work and we explore recent calls by Britain’s biggest union saying the time is right for the four-day work week. The latter gets a vote from me! And in other news this week:
We also take a look at how the growing importance of traceability for food products led one Christchurch pasta company to choose Abel ERP – providing supply chain traceability, quality control and flexibility to safeguard and streamline the business. Enjoy the read, Heather Wright A fascination with the future of workIt’s closer than you think. In fact, it’s here and now… There’s a preoccupation with how we’re going to keep ourselves busy in a world of technological enablement, where intelligent systems do much of the heavy lifting. “What will disappear is a lot of the stuff we do at work which doesn’t add any real value.” R&D tax scheme well-received, but issues still to be ironed outLower base, higher rate, tech inclusion – what’s not to like? The imminent launch of a research and development tax credit in 2019 has received both brickbats and bouquets from the Kiwi market. “Woods looks to be seeking to ensure no business is worse off, and that many will be significantly better off." Robots, automation…and longer holidaysForget robots stealing our jobs – can they help make the four-day work week a reality instead?.. We’ve all heard that the robots are coming to take our jobs, but technological advancements could also put the long dreamed about four day work week within reach. “I believe that in this century, we can win a four-day working week, with decent pay for everyone.” China chip spying allegations denied by Apple and AmazonDid they or did they not?.. Apple and Amazon are both strenuously denying Bloomberg reports of a hardware attack involving chips inserted into server motherboards by Chinese manufacturers. “We have conducted rigorous internal investigations and found absolutely no evidence to support any of the allegations.” When will online voting come to Australasia?With voter numbers dropping, postal services on the decline and booth-voting pure misery, is it time for a digital solution?.. Of course it is, and it may be arriving sooner than expected, for Kiwis at least with nine NZ councils looking at online voting trials for elections next year. “A lack of public confidence in online voting is a risk to successful implementation and uptake.” Traceability is the star ingredient for pasta makerAfter a mislabelled product exposes a critical business risk, a leading pasta manufacturer needed to safeguard its fast-growing business... A mislabeled product saw a leading gourmet pasta manufacturer choose Abel ERP to deliver traceability, quality control and flexibility to safeguard and streamline their growing business. "We knew if we wanted to take Pasta Vera to the next level, it was time for a change.” This week's sponsor: Upcoming events: > NZ Cyber Security Summit | Oct 18 | Wellington iStart is proudly supported by these leading Latest Buyer's Guides ERP Buyer's Guide | CRM Buyer's Guide | HR/HCM Buyer's Guide | BI Buyer's Guide Privacy statement: We have sent this weekly eNewsletter to you at your e-mail address: [email address suppressed]. iStart will never share your e-mail address, but you may from time to time receive other event invitations or partner communications from us. You can opt out of these by managing your subscription preferences, where you can also update your e-mail address and other details. Find out more about iStart | Advertise with iStart | Subscribe
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